Arsenal held to goalless draw by injury-hit Liverpool

LONDON: Premier League leaders Arsenal missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead as Liverpool held them to a 0-0 draw here at a rain-soaked Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

Mikel Arteta’s side, who had won seven successive home league games, were expected to capitalise on Manchester City’s slip-up the previous night, but Liverpool’s resilient display denied them.

The visitors, starting without a recognised striker, appeared vulnerable early on, yet grew in confidence as the first half progressed.

Their closest moment came when Conor Bradley rattled the crossbar. Arsenal responded after the break with a flurry of attacking substitutes, but could not break down a well-organised Liverpool defence.

“The second half was a real struggle,” Arteta admitted.

“These games need a magic moment but it didn’t happen. But if you can’t win it then don’t lose it. We have had a very demanding schedule with six games over the Christmas period and we have come out of that in a really strong position.”

Arsenal struggled to exert pressure in the second half, not registering a corner until stoppage time, and even their famed set-pieces proved ineffective.

Liverpool suffered late injury trouble when Bradley was stretchered off, sparking a melee after Gabriel Martinelli’s reaction.

“I understand you want to win, we want to win as well, but I think the health of a player is much more important than something else,” Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai said.

With 17 games remaining, Arsenal remain firm favourites to claim their first English title since 2004.