The Japan Times - Arsenal miss chance to stretch lead in Liverpool stalemate

The Reds are one of only two sides to beat Mikel Arteta's men this season and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Conor Bradley hit the crossbar.

Arsenal failed to score for the first time at home all season but did enough to extend their advantage over second-placed Manchester City to six points.

Three consecutive draws for City over the past week had opened the door for Arsenal to close in on their first league title in 22 years.

The Emirates was bouncing before a ball was kicked in anticipation, but the spectacle between the defending champions and apparent champions elect fell flat.

Both sides struggled to deal with the treacherous conditions as Storm Goretti unleashed torrential rain and swirling winds.

Liverpool have long since fallen out of the title race since beating the Gunners at Anfield in August, but are now 10 games unbeaten to consolidate their place in the top four.

The visitors were penned in for much of the first 45 minutes but still came closest to opening the scoring before the break.

William Saliba's backpass nearly caught out David Raya and, with the Spanish goalkeeper stranded, Conor Bradley's lob came back off the underside of the crossbar.

The roles were reversed in the second period as Liverpool dominated possession and territory.

However, the Reds were shorn of three of their biggest attacking threats with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike out injured and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

That lack of firepower in the final third showed as Arsenal were only ever troubled by the pace of Jeremie Frimpong, who lacked the final ball to make his dangerous bursts count.

Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick separated the sides when the last met and nearly repeated the trick with a powerful effort that dipped just too late.

At the other end, Viktor Gyokeres was hauled off by Arteta after another poor performance as his goal drought from open play extended to 10 games.

Arteta had to turn to his wealth of options off the bench to try and turn the tide as Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli were all introduced in the hunt for a winner.

But they took until stoppage time to register a shot on goal in the second half as Jesus and Martinelli fired too close to Alisson Becker.

A point edges fourth-placed Liverpool three points clear of Newcastle and Manchester United in the battle for a place in next season's Champions League.

K.Yamaguchi--JT