Manchester City and Arsenal handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race as they played out a bitterly disappointing goalless stalemate at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
A game touted to be potentially defining in a fascinating three-way title race provided little thrill in the first half with both teams appearing unwilling to take risks in a chess match between ‘master and apprentice’ Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
Gabriel Jesus had the first opportunity against his former club, but could only hit the side netting from Ben White’s cross. Nathan Aké ought to have done better when he headed into a grateful David Raya’s arms from a corner, before unfortunately having to go off injured.
Jesus then skewed wide in another Arsenal breakaway, but City had the majority of possession before the break.
The champions threatened to turn their dominance of the ball into a goal when Mateo Kovacic curled just wide from distance, before Arsenal started to get a foothold of their own, as Bukayo Saka’s dangerous cross flashed just past Jesus.
There was still a distinct lack of goalmouth action, until Kevin De Bruyne’s corner almost looped over Raya as the pace of the game picked up. Substitute Jérémy Doku then squandered a couple of opportunities, before Erling Haaland inexplicably miskicked following a flick-on from a corner.
Ultimately, the contest was relentlessly cagey, proven by just one shot on target a piece from each side as the game entered its final stages. In the end, neither side quite showed the quality or belief to nick it, as City stretched their impressive unbeaten run to 23 matches, ending Arsenal’s eight-game winning streak in the the league in the process.
The Gunners drop to second, but may see it as a precious point, especially considering they stopped City scoring at home in the league for the first time since 2021.
Liverpool are now top of the table and two points clear of Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield, their delight increased by their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.
