Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side has emerged from a demanding festive schedule in a strong position, despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Liverpool at the Emirates on Thursday.

The stalemate ended Arsenal’s run of five straight Premier League wins and marked its first dropped points since December 6. However, with Manchester City faltering, the Gunners still hold a six-point lead at the top.

“Yes, every time you don’t win (it is a missed opportunity),” Arteta said. “I have to really praise the team for what they have done in this Christmas period.

“To come out of this period with all the issues we had the boys deserve all the credit.

“We are in a really strong position and we have to go again.”

Defending champion Liverpool remains 14 points adrift of the leader but has yet to concede against Arsenal in two league meetings this season. Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick was the difference in August at Anfield, with both matches producing few clear chances.

Still catching up

Arne Slot’s side extended its unbeaten run to 10 games, but five draws in that stretch have left it fourth in the table. The Liverpool manager felt his team controlled large spells after the break but lacked penetration.

“From all that ball possession you are hoping for more chance creation,” Slot said.

“This is who we are. We can dominate possession but we struggle in a few things.

“Set pieces and then to find the right pass in the final third, we are still not at the level of some other teams.”

Published on Jan 09, 2026