Arsenal are football's Christmas No.1 - but is this just another festive fling?
Arsenal are football's Christmas number one after surviving the full-throttle Anfield experience.
Now it's a question of whether this time around Mikel Arteta's side are the real title thing or it's simply another festive fling. After all, they were top at the last Yuletide only for Manchester City to overhaul them on the way to their famed treble.
But Liverpool had responded to Jurgen Klopp's call for fans and players alike to pump up the volume and tempo to make it an evening when the Gunners wouldn't know what had hit them.
As ordered by Klopp the decibel level from the Liverpool fans at kick-off was deafening – but it was the Gunners who responded first to the cacophony from The Kop.
Jesus had seen a deflected shot loop over the bar and sent a header into Alisson's arms before Gabriel struck in the fourth minute. A brilliantly delivered free-kick from Martin Odegaard found the Brazilian far too easily and his header arrowed past Alisson.
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There was the inevitable lengthy VAR check for a potential offside but the goal stood and Arsenal had laid an early marker in what was already proving a gripping battle of two heir apparent to Manchester City's title crown.
But Mikel Arteta had warned that Anfield with the Liverpool fans in the mood was like being sucked into a washing machine. Thanks to Mohamed Salah it was back at full spin, the Egyptian conjuring up a stupendous equaliser.
Arsenal went ahead through Gabriel (ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Trent Alexander-Arnold launched the ball deep into Arsenal’s half and in Salah's direction. In a blur of high-speed action he controlled, skated past Oleksandr Zinchenko and exploded an unstoppable effort past David Raya for his 12th Premier League goal of the season.
Liverpool had upped the tempo although they suffered a blow when Kostas Tsimikas was forced out of the game clutching his shoulder after a challenge from Bukayo Saka which took him careering into the technical area poleaxing the unsuspecting Klopp.
Arsenal should have gone ahead just before the break. A trademark Saka run created havoc and when he was blocked Garbriel Martinelli with Alisson exposed, prodded wide. Kai Havertz picked up a soft yellow card which means he misses the next game against West Ham.
Liverpool kicking towards the expectant Kop in the second half raced out of the blocks with Salah at the heart of their industry and endeavour. But it was Joe Gomez who had replaced the unfortunate Tsimikas who was just inches away from giving them the lead with a crafted curling attempt.
It was now a test of Arsenal’s fortitude especially with Salah making life tough for Zinchenko. But the Gunners almost paid the price from a corner which was a complete mess and saw Salah leading a cavalry charge. He then released the perfect pass only for the raiding Alexander-Arnold to smash against the bar. Cue relief for Arteta and his men who had come out of the machine wash intact.
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