A battling performance from Liverpool saw them take a point from league leaders Arsenal.
Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
Premier League (21) | Emirates Stadium
January 8, 2026
Frimpong in, Wirtz No.9
With options limited, there was just the one change from the team that started at Fulham at the weekend, with Jeremie Frimpong replacing Curtis Jones; Arne Slot indicating pre-match the need for pace in attack.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Missing Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Mo Salah, it was Florian Wirtz who occupied the central role up front, with Cody Gakpo on the left, although Slot explained that “it will be fluid.”
The Reds’ bench was lacking options and inspiration, to say the very least. None of the subs would be used.
Defensive Liverpool
It was the champions vs. the champions elect, but there was one clear favourite going into the game.
It came as no surprise that Arsenal absolutely dominated proceedings early on, with Liverpool ironically setting up in a very defensive low block.
Wingers Gakpo and Frimpong man-marked Arsenal‘s full backs, often finding themselves alongside the Reds’ centre-backs, while Bukayo Saka had Milos Kerkez busy.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool and Arsenal players have an argument over whether referee Anthony Taylor should have blown the whistle for Jeremie Frimpong during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
However, it was Conor Bradley who hit the bar midway through the half after a mix up in the Arsenal defence saw the right-back chip the ‘keeper from outside the box.
It proved a rare opportunity for a Liverpool side that had 11 players in their own defensive third for long periods – quite the irony given Slot’s comments about teams who defend against his team in that manner.
A 14th league game this season without scoring in the first half for Slot’s side.
Half time: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
An improved second half
Liverpool had a penalty shout early in the second half after Trossard’s challenge on Wirtz, but the VAR said no intervention was required. A debatable decision.
The Reds, in white, started to get more of a grip on the game as the half progressed and actually saw significantly more of the ball.
Szoboszlai had two free kicks from range, the second of which was much closer than the first.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai sees his shot blocked by Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The home side became increasingly frustrated, both on the pitch and in the expectant crowd.
A late injury for Bradley in stoppage time was a negative, while Gabriel Martinelli’s conduct was abysmal.
A third consecutive draw but 10 games unbeaten in all competitions.
The draw leaves Liverpool 14 points behind Arteta’s side, and seven behind second and third place Man City and Aston Villa.
TIA Man of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Madueke, Eze, Martinelli, Jesus
Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley (Gomez 90+5′), Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Wirtz, Gakpo
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Robertson, Ramsay, Jones, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Chiesa
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Next match: Barnsley (H) – FA Cup – Monday, January 12, 7.45pm (GMT)