Arsenal stay top after thrilling draw at Liverpool

Neither Liverpool or Arsenal were able to strike a title blow as they played out a frenetic draw at Anfield.

The Gunners started impressively and took the lead when defender Gabriel headed home skipper Martin Odegaard’s free-kick in just the fourth minute, but Liverpool rallied and – after being denied a penalty when Odegaard appeared to handle – they were level shortly before the half hour mark when Mo Salah beat Oleksandr Zinchenko and blasted in at David Raya’s near post.

In a match played on the edge throughout, Trent Alexander-Arnold smashed against the bar for Liverpool following a fast break, but neither side was able to grab a winner.

This is a fixture which looms large in Arsenal minds given some of their past experiences here, with Mikel Arteta himself once in a Gunners side beaten 5-1 after conceding four times in the first 20 minutes. In such trying matches the need for a ‘fast start’ is often spoken about, but it is the need for a smart one which is more important.

And Arsenal were smart here, locking onto Liverpool’s creative players and giving them very little opportunity to find a pass. They stifled their hosts, forced early set pieces and then punished a Reds side who were guilty of slack marking. Gabriel’s goal came after just four minutes, but it was coming.

The goal understandably rocked Liverpool, but – backed by a raucous Anfield crowd who had been paying attention to Jurgen Klopp’s plea for atmosphere – they are smart enough team to work their way back into any match.

The game was on something of a knife edge with a frenetic beat, but Salah is cooler than most in those situations, and he knew he was getting the better of Zinchenko. Alexander-Arnold’s ball sent the Egyptian away and when he cut inside there was only one outcome when he drew back that famous left foot. Parity.

It was a game being played at a remarkable pace throughout, but especially so after Salah’s goal, with last ditch interceptions often needed to prevent fast breaks from either side and Arsenal’s wide men in particular looking very dangerous.

Bukayo Saka was ultimately too dangerous for Kostas Tsimikas and Klopp as he sent the Greek into his manager on the touchline, with the latter sustaining what looked to be another shoulder injury for a Liverpool left-back. It was a sign of just what was on the line for these two in a Premier League title race both will think they can win.

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The speed of the game really was quite remarkable, and perhaps it played a part in the odd decision not to take another look at Odegaard seemingly handling the ball in the Arsenal penalty area as his side led 1-0, with the lack of a VAR intervention looking more and more curious with each and every viewing of it.

Being a centre-back for a top level football team is hard work these days. Gone is the time of the yard dogs and the stoppers, and they’ve been replaced by the need to be a physical specimen who can seriously move.

Ibrahima Konate is just that, and the young Frenchman – who hasn’t perhaps shown his best form for much of this season – was terrific here as a last line of defence for several Arsenal attacks, often nicking the ball away from a Gunner at the vital moment. Gabriel was impressive for the visitors too, as we were treated to an exhibition of very modern defending.

So who does this draw benefit the most then? Probably Manchester City, in truth. Of the two sides involved it is of course a better one for Arsenal, with Liverpool particularly liable to lament that Alexander-Arnold chance which crashed against the bar.

Arsenal gained a good foothold in the game’s closing stages too though and so they will also have regrets, but overall it was a exhibition of two sides who will be there for the duration this season whatever happens with City. The race is very much on.