Arsenal’s quest to assert dominance at the top of the Premier League hit a speed bump at the Emirates as Liverpool held the Gunners to a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
The North Londoners missed the chance to open an eight-point cushion, while the Reds, dangerous on the break, came close to snatching all three points when Conor Bradley’s thunderous effort rattled the crossbar.
In front of a raucous crowd brimming with anticipation, the clash turned into a tactical chess match. Both sides struggled against swirling winds and torrential downpours from Storm Goretti, making fluid attacking football a challenge.
Despite failing to score at home for the first time this season, Arsenal extended their lead over Manchester City to six points, keeping their title bid firmly alive even if the night served as a reminder of the Premier League’s unpredictability.
Liverpool, long out of the title race since their Anfield victory over Arsenal in August, continue to ride an unbeaten run stretching back ten games, consolidating their place in the top four.
The visitors were pinned back for much of the first half but still came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break.
A sloppy backpass from William Saliba nearly caught out David Raya, and Bradley’s clever lob crashed back off the underside of the crossbar.
The second half flipped the script as Liverpool dominated possession, probing Arsenal’s defence. Yet the Reds were without key attacking weapons Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike were sidelined by injury, and Mohamed Salah was away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were only occasionally tested by Jeremie Frimpong’s pace, but the Dutchman lacked the final ball to make his dangerous bursts count.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who had netted a stunning free-kick in their previous meeting, almost replicated his heroics with a curling strike that dipped just over the bar.
At the other end, Viktor Gyokeres endured another frustrating night and was substituted, extending his open-play goal drought to ten games.
Arteta turned to his bench arsenal, introducing Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli in a bid to break the deadlock.
Despite late pressure and stoppage-time attempts from Jesus and Martinelli, Alisson Becker held firm to preserve the clean sheet.
The point moves Liverpool three points clear of Newcastle and Manchester United in the race for a Champions League spot, while Arsenal remain firmly in control at the summit but the Gunners will know that in the Premier League, no lead is ever safe.
