Sammy: Missed chance to pull away

Robbie Keane’s equaliser three minutes before half-time earned the visitors a 1-1 draw at the Emirates after Robin van Persie had given the Gunners the lead midway through the first half.

But the game’s main incident came in the 63rd minute when Emmanuel Adebayor was controversially dismissed by referee Howard Webb for a second bookable offence.

With Rafael Benitez having not travelled as he recovers from last week’s operation to remove a kidney stone, assistant manager Lee assumed control at the Emirates.

And he revealed Liverpool’s players were disappointed not to have made their numerical advantage tell and open up a four-point lead on second-placed Chelsea.

“We’d have settled for the point beforehand, but the way the game went the lads are a little it disappointed,” said Lee.

“Part of the disappointment was that we couldn’t open them up when they went down to 10 men. Arsenal, to their credit, made sure they wouldn’t succumb to our control we had at the time. They kept their shape and stayed compact.

“We tried to make the most of the numerical advantage and we don’t think that we did that, which is why we feel disappointed.

“We had to make sure we went forward without getting caught out at the back. Our lads did well. Arsenal are very well organised but so are we.”

A convalescing Benitez watched the game on television at his Wirral home and kept in constant contact with the dugout through the mobile phone of goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero.

And Lee added: “Rafa was in contact throughout the game, so he’ll have run up quite a big phone bill! The way technology is these days, there was never going to be a problem staying in touch.

“He was in contact before and during the game. It’s a great testament to his professionalism. He has been in a lot of pain. I hope he can settle down now and get himself ready 100% for the games over the Christmas.

“He said he was pleased for the boys. He realised what a good point it was because we consider Arsenal to be a very, very good footballing team.”