Arsenal miss chance to stretch lead in Liverpool stalemate

Arsenal wasted the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as Liverpool came to life in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

The Reds are one of only two sides to beat Mikel Arteta’s men this season and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Conor Bradley hit the crossbar.

Arsenal failed to score for the first time at home all season but did enough to extend their advantage over second-placed Manchester City to six points.

Three consecutive draws for City over the past week had opened the door for Arsenal to close in on their first league title in 22 years.

The Emirates was bouncing before a ball was kicked in anticipation, but the spectacle between the defending champions and apparent champions elect fell flat.

Both sides struggled to deal with the treacherous conditions as Storm Goretti unleashed torrential rain and swirling winds.

Liverpool have long since fallen out of the title race since beating the Gunners at Anfield in August, but are now 10 games unbeaten to consolidate their place in the top four.

The visitors were penned in for much of the first 45 minutes but still came closest to opening the scoring before the break.

William Saliba’s backpass nearly caught out David Raya and, with the Spanish goalkeeper stranded, Conor Bradley’s lob came back off the underside of the crossbar.

The roles were reversed in the second period as Liverpool dominated possession and territory.

However, the Reds were shorn of three of their biggest attacking threats with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike out injured and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

That lack of firepower in the final third showed as Arsenal were only ever troubled by the pace of Jeremie Frimpong, who lacked the final ball to make his dangerous bursts count.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick separated the sides when the last met and nearly repeated the trick with a powerful effort that dipped just too late.

At the other end, Viktor Gyokeres was hauled off by Arteta after another poor performance as his goal drought from open play extended to 10 games.

Arteta had to turn to his wealth of options off the bench to try and turn the tide as Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli were all introduced in the hunt for a winner.

But they took until stoppage time to register a shot on goal in the second half as Jesus and Martinelli fired too close to Alisson Becker.

A point edges fourth-placed Liverpool three points clear of Newcastle and Manchester United in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League.

Arteta said the Gunners have come out of a gruelling festive schedule in a stronger position despite the disappointment of draw.

“Yes, every time you don’t win (it is a missed opportunity),” said Arteta. “I have to really praise the team for what they have done in this Christmas period.

“To come out of this period with all the issues we had the boys deserve all the credit.

“We are in a really strong position and we have to go again.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said their goalless draw with Arsenal underlines the struggles they have had with teams deploying a low block this season.

Defending champions Liverpool failed to register a shot on target in a Premier ⁠League fixture for the first time since a match against Wigan Athletic in March 2010, bringing a run of 600 league games to an end.

Slot told Sky Sports their inability to break teams down had cost them all season.

“I’ve said 150 times already that against certain playing styles, we’re a very good team, and against certain playing styles we struggle,” he added.

Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli apologised to injured Liverpool right back Conor Bradley after trying to push him off the pitch near the end of the draw.

Bradley fell awkwardly near the touchline in stoppage time and Martinelli clearly thought he was time-wasting, throwing the ball at him before manhandling him.

Agencies