Arsenal go six points clear after insipid draw with Liverpool

Arsenal missed a chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Liverpool.

This was a disappointing game that ended on a notable sour note, with Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli angering Liverpool in stoppage time when he crudely attempted to push Conor Bradley off the pitch after the defender went down close to the touchline with a painful knee injury.

Martinelli was booked and Bradley was taken away on a stretcher with hands over his face.

Arsenal, who had won their five previous Premier League matches, came into the match with a golden opportunity after title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa both drew on Wednesday.

Last season’s champions Liverpool, who arrived in north London on a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions, were without Hugo Ekitike which meant Arne Slot was forced to name a starting line-up without a recognised striker.

The Gunners dominated the opening 45 minutes, but it was Liverpool who had the best chance when right-back Bradley seized on a mix-up between David Raya and William Saliba and sent a chipped effort against the crossbar.

Arsenal fired a number of crosses into the box but there was nobody on hand to apply a finishing touch.

Liverpool were then the better team in the second half and looked more of a threat going forward, but neither side could find a way to take the three points.

The result means Arsenal stay comfortably top, six points ahead of their closest rivals, while Liverpool remain fourth.

Manager Mikel Arteta will hope the Gunners do not live to regret this performance and result when the season comes to a close in May.

His team have been excellent this term but were below par on this occasion.

Arsenal are still in an excellent position, no doubt about it, and this may not be a bad point in the long run. But after facing a Liverpool side who were lacking a recognised number nine, the Gunners may feel they could have been more proactive in forcing a home win.

Arteta did try to make something happen, introducing Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Martinelli from the bench, but the changes did not stop Liverpool having the better of the second half.

This was also a disappointing night for summer signing Viktor Gyokeres. The striker was withdrawn in the 64th minute with the scores level after failing to have a shot.

Gyokeres could not complain that there weren’t opportunities, with a number of Arsenal crosses going across the face of goal without being attacked.

Could Arsenal perhaps afford to draw because of their impressive season, and because their nearest challengers are not applying maximum pressure just now? Only time will tell us that.

Liverpool arrived with the news that striker Ekitike would miss the game through injury.

That meant that the Reds had to line up without a recognised central attacker, and midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were the two players furthest forward for the away side.

Arne Slot’s team could not get out of their half for large parts of the first period, but then came Bradley’s chance out of the blue and they almost snatched the lead.

Liverpool approached the second half with more attacking intent and had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Wirtz went down under a challenge by Leandro Trossard.

The visitors created a nervy atmosphere as they pushed for a winner and Szoboszlai went close late on with a free-kick.

Liverpool are still not at their best, but they are finding a way to put together an unbeaten run. The title may no longer be a realistic target this season, but results like this could still see them influence who lifts the trophy.

Arsenal play away at Portsmouth on Sunday (14:00 GMT) in the FA Cup while Liverpool play Barnsley at Anfield on Monday evening (19:45).