Arsenal haven’t won at Anfield since 2012, and although that record wasn’t improved, Arsenal still earned a valuable point to top the Premier League table at Christmas for the second year in a row.
Mikel Arteta opted to go with an unchanged XI from the side that beat Brighton And Hove Albion 2-0 at Emirates Stadium the previous weekend. The Spaniard’s side started rapidly at Anfield as a shot from Gabriel Jesus was deflected just over the bar within 30 seconds. And Arsenal’s bright start was rewarded when just two minutes later a free-kick from Martin Odegaard was headed in by defender Gabriel who gave Arsenal the lead. There was a slight suspicion of offside but the Brazilian was confirmed to be onside and he claimed his first goal of the season in the process.
The goal helped to liven up the Liverpool crowd but Arsenal did well to contain the home side and remain in control of the contest. That was however until the half hour mark when a ping-point long ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold found Mohammed Salah, the Egyptian forward cut inside and struck superbly into the near top corner to level the tie and leave Oleksandr Zinchenko being exposed again.
Arsenal could have retaken the lead just before half-time when Gabriel Martinelli hit an effort just wide following a Gabriel Jesus pass which set Bukayo Saka through on goal, the young winger tried to go round Alisson. But the goalkeeper got a hand to it and the ball fell to Martinelli who struck the ball just wide of the post at the Kop end as the two sides went in at half-time even at 1-1.
Liverpool started the second half like Arsenal started the first, and The Gunners struggled to match the Reds intensity with errors in possession starting to appear. However, they managed to weather the storm well with some solid defending with Raya continuing to be fairly unchallenged in the Arsenal goal part from a number of claims.
Arsenal did begin to get up the pitch and create chances with two low crosses from Saka entering the Liverpool penalty area but no one was there to turn the ball home. They could have also had a penalty as Kai Havertz was brought down, although the German went down pretty easily. But the best chance of the second half occurred with 15 minutes to go as a Arsenal corner was won back by Liverpool and a counter-attack opportunity presented itself, it was only Declan Rice against 5 Reds forwards but when the ball was squared to Alexander-Arnold the Liverpool man somehow smashed the crossbar to the relief of Arsenal.
Neither team could find a late winner and Arsenal took a solid point back with them to London as they officially top the table at Christmas before facing West Ham at Emirates Stadium.
Player Ratings:
Raya: 7 – Couldn’t do anything about the goal, distribution and claims were solid
Ben White: 7 – Did little going forward but was solid defensively throughout
William Saliba: 8 – Brilliant once again and showed incredible composure
Gabriel: 8 – Scored the opener and was very solid throughout
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 5 – Actually was decent overall but his error for the Liverpool goal brings his score down, did make a few errors in possession too though
Declan Rice: 8 – Was everywhere once again
Kai Havertz: 7 – Was quiet in the first half but was more involved in the second. Did well in duels and kept the ball moving ok but will miss the West Ham match through suspension which is a shame considering his recent form
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Gave away the ball at times but kept the ball moving well in the middle, captain’s performance
Bukayo Saka: 6 – Wasn’t too involved in the second half but looked bright especially in the first half
Gabriel Jesus: 6 – Again, wasn’t too involved overall but did ok
Gabriel Martinelli: 5 – Looked dangerous but gave the ball away a lot and some of his decision making was poor