Sport
Arsenal in 'strong position' despite missed opportunity for Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said the Gunners have come out of a gruelling festive schedule in a stronger position despite the disappointment of being held 0-0 at home to Liverpool on Thursday.
Arteta's men dropped points for the first time since December 6 as five consecutive Premier League wins prior to Liverpool's visit and the faltering form of Manchester City has opened up a six-point lead for Arsenal. "Yes, every time you don't win (it is a missed opportunity)," said Arteta. "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 champions Liverpool remain 14 points behind the leaders but have not conceded a goal in two meetings with Arsenal this season. Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick separated the sides at Anfield back in August as both games have been short on big chances.
Arne Slot's men are now unbeaten in 10 games, but five of those have been draws to leave them languishing fourth in the table. The Liverpool boss was not surprised by his side's ability to dominate possession in the second half against the leaders but was frustrated by a familiar lack of cutting edge in the final third.
"From all that ball possession you are hoping for more chance creation," said Slot. "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."
Defending champions Liverpool failed to register a shot on target in a Premier League fixture for the first time since a match against Wigan Athletic in March 2010, bringing a run of 600 league games to an end. Slot said their inability to break teams down had cost them all season.
Arsenal's Martinelli 'deeply sorry' for shoving injured Bradley
Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli said he had apologised to Conor Bradley for shoving the Liverpool defender off the pitch when badly injured.
Some pundits felt Martinelli should have been sent off after the Brazilian dropped the ball on Bradley as he lay on the turf at the Emirates and then tried to manhandle him off the pitch so the game could quickly resume.
The 22-year-old Bradley left the stadium on crutches and wearing a supportive brace on his knee. Martinelli was booked but not dismissed following the incident late in the game on Thursday which provoked an angry reaction from Liverpool's players.
In response to the backlash, Martinelli posted on Instagram: "Conor and I have messaged and I've already apologised to him. I really didn't understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."
Prior to Martinelli's apology, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had defended the player, calling him "an incredible, lovely guy".
He said that Martinelli would not have pushed Bradley had he known he was badly hurt, a view echoed by Liverpool boss Arne Slot.