City and Villa breathe sigh of relief as Arsenal fail to capitalise on midweek slip-ups

Arsenal missed the chance to open an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League after being held to a drab goalless draw by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

The result felt like a missed opportunity on a night when the Gunners had the chance to capitalise on dropped points elsewhere.

Mikel Arteta’s side started with purpose and controlled large parts of the first half without finding the breakthrough their early dominance suggested.

Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s brightest outlet, repeatedly driving at Liverpool’s left side and forcing Alisson into an early save from the edge of the area.

A flowing move down the right should have led to the opener, but Martin Zubimendi arrived a fraction too late to meet Saka’s cut-back.

Liverpool, who lined up without a recognised striker, struggled to escape their half but carried a threat whenever Arsenal switched off.

That threat nearly turned into a goal when William Saliba’s loose back pass wrong-footed David Raya and allowed Conor Bradley to attempt a chip that struck the crossbar.

The miss proved a warning Arsenal did not fully heed, despite finishing the half on the front foot.

Declan Rice had a sight of goal from a loose clearance shortly before the break, but his effort was smothered by Alisson.

Arsenal went into the interval ahead on territory and possession, yet without the reward their play merited.

The second half told a different story as Liverpool emerged with far greater intensity and belief.

Florian Wirtz drove into the Arsenal box early after the restart and went to ground under pressure, with penalty appeals waved away.

From that point on, Arsenal struggled to regain control as Liverpool pressed higher and moved the ball with more confidence.

The Gunners’ attacking play became increasingly predictable, with crosses flashed across the face of goal but rarely attacked.

Viktor Gyokeres cut an isolated figure up front and failed to register a meaningful effort before being withdrawn.

Arteta turned to Gabriel Jesus and later added fresh wide options in search of a spark that never truly arrived.

Liverpool continued to look the more likely side to nick a winner, even if clear chances remained scarce.

Dominik Szoboszlai tested Raya with a late free-kick, while Arsenal’s threat dwindled as frustration grew in the stands.

The hosts finally forced a shot on target deep into stoppage time, but Gabriel Jesus’ header lacked the power to trouble Alisson.

Tempers flared late on as the game drifted towards its inevitable conclusion.

At full-time, Arsenal were left to reflect on two dropped points in a match they had hoped would strengthen their grip on the title race.

The draw keeps them top of the table, but the failure to fully assert themselves after the break will concern Arteta.

Liverpool’s second-half performance, built on energy and organisation, underlined why Arsenal could not afford to ease off.

For the Gunners, this felt less like a point gained and more like a chance missed on a night that promised much more.

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