Arsenal miss chance to pull clear as goalless draw keeps Premier League race wide open
Arsenal let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, a result that pleased the chasing pack far more than either side involved.
The leaders had the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, but a night of missed moments, poor finishing and brutal weather conditions ensured the title race remains very much alive.
The anticipation inside the Emirates was palpable before kick-off. With Manchester City stumbling in recent weeks, Arsenal knew victory would have tightened their grip on a first league title in 22 years. Instead, the evening fizzled into a tense, attritional contest that never truly ignited.
For the first time all season, Arsenal failed to score at home. While they did enough to stretch their lead over second-placed City to six points, the sense of a missed opportunity lingered long after the final whistle.
Liverpool arrived with little pressure, having long fallen out of the title race, yet they proved stubborn and increasingly dangerous as the match wore on. The visitors came closest to scoring in the opening half when a moment of defensive uncertainty nearly proved costly.
A loose backpass from William Saliba left the Arsenal goalkeeper stranded, allowing Conor Bradley to attempt an audacious lob. The Emirates collectively gasped as the ball struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing away to safety.
That moment summed up a first half in which Arsenal controlled territory but lacked sharpness, while Liverpool threatened sporadically on the break.
The conditions did neither side any favours. Storm Goretti battered north London with torrential rain and swirling winds, turning slick passing moves into a lottery and draining the match of rhythm.
After the interval, the balance of play shifted noticeably. Liverpool began to dominate possession and push Arsenal deeper, despite missing several of their most dangerous attacking options through injury and international duty.
The absence of cutting edge showed. While Liverpool pressed with intent, clear chances were scarce. Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled badly to impose themselves going forward.
The home side’s central striker endured another difficult night, extending his run without an open-play goal to 10 matches before being withdrawn. The manager responded by throwing attacking options at the problem, introducing multiple forwards in search of a late breakthrough.
Yet even with fresh legs and attacking intent, Arsenal laboured. It took until stoppage time for them to register a meaningful effort in the second half, only for shots to be fired straight at the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool’s most consistent threat came from wide areas, with bursts of pace causing momentary panic, though the final delivery repeatedly let them down.
A powerful free-kick from midfield briefly raised hopes of a dramatic winner, dipping late but ultimately falling just wide. It was as close as either side came in a cagey second half defined more by tension than quality.
When the final whistle arrived, the reaction was mixed. Arsenal remained in control of the title race but had failed to deliver a potentially decisive blow. Liverpool, unbeaten in 10 matches, strengthened their hold on a top-four place and edged further clear in the battle for Champions League qualification.
In the end, it was a night that promised fireworks but delivered frustration a reminder that in a title race shaped by fine margins, even dominance means little without a goa