Arsenal ensured they will top the Premier League table on Christmas Day with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.
Arsenal made a very fast start at Anfield and Gabriel Magalhaes headed home Martin Odegaard’s free-kick after just four minutes to silence the home crowd.
Jurgen Klopp’s side grew into the game and Mohamed Salah equalised midway through the first half after Trent Alexander-Arnold found him with a stunning pass, with the Egypt forward beating the vulnerable Oleksandr Zinchenko on his way to goal.
Both teams had their fair share of chances in the thrilling encounter that followed, the best falling to Alexander-Arnold who smashed the bar from close range as Liverpool went on a five-versus-two counter-attack.
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The result means Arsenal have a one-point gap over Liverpool and Aston Villa with the league one game away from the halfway point, with Tottenham and Manchester City, who have a game in hand, four and six points further back from the Gunners.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 11 games against Arsenal at Anfield.
“Proud of the performance but the final pass went astray a few times. That’s where the frustration lies,” Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, said after the game.
Liverpool go to relegation strugglers Burnley on Boxing Day for their final fixture of 2023.
The Reds then play on New Year’s Day as they host Newcastle at Anfield.
Arsenal, on the other hand, face two London derbies in their final games of the year as they first host West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
The Gunners then go to Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
