Arsenal missed a crucial opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League after being held to a goalless draw by champions Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Despite finishing the festive period with an impressive five wins and a draw in their league matches, manager Mikel Arteta expressed regret at not moving eight points clear, acknowledging that every dropped point feels like a missed chance in the highly competitive league.

The Gunners now sit six points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa, but the 0-0 stalemate meant they failed to capitalize on Manchester City's earlier draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. Arsenal, while dominating parts of the first half, struggled to convert pressure into meaningful chances, ending the match with an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.52 from nine shots.

Key moments included Liverpool defender Conor Bradley hitting the crossbar in the first half after a mix-up between William Saliba and David Raya. Gabriel Magalhães had arguably Arsenal's best opportunity in second-half stoppage time, heading wide. The match also saw an unfortunate incident when Bradley was stretchered off in stoppage time following a tackle from Gabriel Martinelli, with the Brazilian then appearing to push Bradley off the pitch, leading to a heated exchange between players.

Liverpool, playing without a recognized center forward due to Hugo Ekitike's injury, improved after the break but also lacked a cutting edge, registering an xG of only 0.36. While Florian Wirtz went down in the box under a tackle, a VAR review denied a penalty. Dominik Szoboszlai threatened with a long-range effort that brushed the roof of the net, but a breakthrough eluded both sides. This result means Liverpool are still without a win in 2026, highlighting their ongoing offensive struggles.

Arne Slot's Liverpool side, however, demonstrated remarkable defensive solidity, restricting Arsenal to very few clear-cut chances. This defensive blueprint, achieved despite shipping 10 goals in November, provides a boost for Slot, whose standing among supporters has been wavering. The hard-earned point at the Emirates, against a team poised to challenge for their crown, reminded many of Liverpool's quality and commitment.

The match also underscored Liverpool's need for reinforcements. With several key players injured (Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni) or at the Africa Cup of Nations (Mohamed Salah), their bench lacked the depth of Arsenal's. The champions' squad depth issues, exacerbated by Bradley's injury, suggest that new additions in defense and attack could be crucial to spark their stuttering campaign.

For Arsenal, the ongoing struggles of striker Viktor Gyökeres continued, marking his tenth game without a goal from open play. With only eight touches in 64 minutes on the pitch, questions arise about his form and whether Arteta might need to look elsewhere, at least temporarily, for attacking leadership, with Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Kai Havertz nearing full fitness. Despite his stunning record at Sporting CP, Gyökeres's wait for improvement in an Arsenal shirt persists.

Ultimately, the 0-0 draw meant that while Arsenal re-established their lead at the top, they will likely feel disappointed by the six-point margin. The Premier League chasing pack, particularly Manchester City, emerged as the 'only real winners' from this stalemate, as both title contenders dropped points, further intensifying the competition at the summit.