Premier League report, result, goals

Arsenal failed to capitalize on their nearest rivals’ draw but moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a point against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

Visiting full-back Conor Bradley came closest to breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion, firing against the crossbar from distance during the first half after Gunners goalkeeper David Raya met a rushed back pass from William Saliba in passing the ball straight to the Northern Ireland captain.

Liverpool capitalized further on the momentum after the restart, with a penalty appeal turned down by a video assistant referee review for Leandro Trossard’s challenge on Florian Wirtz.

Arsenal are next in action at Second Division Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round on Sunday (2:00 p.m. GMT). Liverpool will host third division Barnsley at the same stage of the competition on Monday (7:45 p.m.).

Liverpool so close to taking the lead!

Conor Bradley’s effort crashes against the crossbar! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ylmgvHplPs

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 8, 2026

Arsenal vs Liverpool: Premier League leaders selected

With second-placed Manchester City held at home by Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa sharing a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace the day before, Arsenal were set to take full advantage of those teams – on the same points total behind them – faltering.

Liverpool are 14 points behind Mikel Arteta’s side and top scorer Hugo Ekitike was absent, but the reigning champions produced one of their most assured performances of the season and denied the hosts a shot on goal in the second half.

Dominik Szoboszlai scored the only goal of the game from a late free-kick when these sides met at Anfield in August and the Hungarian playmaker nearly repeated the trick with a shot that dipped narrowly over the crossbar.

This will not be the case this time for Dominik Szoboszlai! ❌ pic.twitter.com/IT3LgS2kbY

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 8, 2026

Arne Slot’s men are now unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions, although they have drawn their last three.

You can relive 101GreatGoals.com live updates between Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League. here.

Arsenal team against Liverpool

Winger Max Dowman and defender Cristhian Mosquera (both ankle injuries) remained out for Arsenal, as did full-back Riccardo Calafiori with an unspecified problem.

Striker Kai Havertz had been ruled out of the 3-2 win at Bournemouth four days earlier for load management reasons, but started this time, as did Bukayo Saka.

Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke gave way.

Arsenal starting lineup: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Martin Odegaard, Martín Zubensedi, Declan Rice, Bukayo foot, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard

Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Myles Lewis-Skelly

Line-ups for Liverpool vs Arsenal

Jérémie Frimpong replaced Curtis Jones for Liverpool. Defender Joe Gomez was injured, as was midfielder Wataru Endo. Forward Alexander Isak had a broken leg.

Defender Giovanni Leoni was dealing with a long-term knee injury and striker Mohamed Salah was playing in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo

Liverpool substitutes: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Trey Nyoni, Calvin Ramsay, Rio Ngumoha

Arsenal vs Liverpool Stats

• Arsenal had won their previous two Premier League home matches against the reigning champions, beating City in 2023/24 and 2024/25.
• They failed to achieve this feat in three consecutive seasons in the Championship, as they did between 1961/62 and 1963/64, when they beat Spurs, Ipswich and Everton.
• Bukayo Saka failed to become the first Arsenal player to score in four consecutive home games against the Reds.
• Arsenal kept a clean sheet for the first time in 21 Premier League games against Liverpool and for the first time since a 0-0 draw in August 2015.
• Only against Man Utd (30 between 1953 and 1968) and Tottenham (24 between 1955 and 1967) have they had a longer clean run in their league history.
• This was the first ever Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool on a Thursday, their last league meeting on Thursday having taken place at Anfield in December 1947 (3–1 victory for Arsenal).
• Liverpool are the second team Arsenal face seven days a week in the Premier League after Southampton.
• Arsenal had won their previous seven Premier League home matches – only once under Mikel Arteta had they enjoyed a longer home league winning streak, winning 10 in a row between April and December 2022.
• Against no side has Arsenal lost more Premier League matches only against Liverpool (26, tied with Manchester United)
• Liverpool failed to complete the Premier League double against Arsenal for the eighth time, and the first since 2021/22. Their seven “doubles” are the most any team has been able to achieve against the Gunners in the competition.