A look at how the national media reacted to Liverpool’s goalless draw at Arsenal in the Premier League
Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 10 games with a 0-0 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates on Thursday evening. The Reds defended well against the Premier League leaders but were unable to cut open the best defensive outfit in the country down the other end as they picked up their third successive draw of 2026.
The ECHO, as ever, was at the game to run the rule over proceedings. You can read our match verdict, player ratings, post-game analysis and the reactions of both Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta. This is how it all unfolded live too.
Our colleagues from the national media were also on hand to give their own considered takes. Here’s what they made of it as Slot’s men earned a positive point in the capital.
READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli sends message to Conor Bradley after ‘disgraceful’ Arsenal vs Liverpool incident
Lewis Steeleof the Daily Mailwrites: “From half-time until the 91st minute, Arsenal had zero shots, no corners and mustered up an expected goals tally of 0.0. For this depleted Liverpool side to rock up at the league leaders and limit them to that is to Arne Slot’s huge credit.
“Had any of the goal-scoring trio of Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah or Alexander Isak been fit and in the team, the Reds most probably would have gone on to take three points and record their biggest win of the season.
“As it was, they had to settle for a third draw of 2026 – but this time, unlike disappointing points against Leeds and Fulham, failing to win was certainly no disgrace.
“In the first half, it was a case of sitting in and being patient, the sort of performance you might expect to see in the upcoming weekend’s FA Cup third round, a minnow fighting for their lives at the home of a giant.
“That may sound like a criticism of Liverpool but it is actually a compliment. Had Slot turned up in north London and not played slightly more pragmatic than normal (his team were deeper, although not always by choice), we would have slated him for being naive.
“Yet he swallowed some pride and went slightly more defensive to join only Pep Guardiola as the only manager to leave the Emirates Stadium with a point this season. In that game, too, City put in a brave even if attritional performance.”
The Daily Mirror‘s chief football correspondent, John Crosspens: “Arsenal’s pre-match light show with a video entitled ‘fire up the furnace’ even fell flat as the game was distinctly lukewarm despite the size of the occasion.
“To be fair, it was loud and rocking on a cold, rain-swept night as North London braced itself for Storm Goretti to take hold but the sense of expectation turned to frustration for Arsenal.
@It also made for a heavy, wet pitch and the ball zipped at great speed across the turf. It certainly did not make life easier but it was very much the same for both sides.
“Arsenal’s level dropped badly after half time and suddenly Liverpool were on the front foot. It was no surprise when Viktor Gyokeres was hooked for Gabriel Jesus.
“Arsenal, even after bringing on Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, just could not find the extra gear they needed and Liverpool could sense their moment as the game wore on and the nerves crept into the stadium.
“Ultimately, Arsenal fell away and it was Liverpool who finished stronger with the home side probably happy to get a point.”
Over on The Independent‘s pages, Richard Jolly reflects: “Arne Slot had waited 18 months for a stalemate and then two came in consecutive Thursdays. The cliche is that they arrived like London buses; the accusation will be that this was Liverpool parking the bus. For Slot, the manager who said it was ‘hard to hear’ that Liverpool had been branded dull and boring, a game that was hard to watch was at least a proof of prowess.
“Extending an unbeaten run to 10 games showed a more solid reboot has been a qualified success. A damage-limitation exercise was executed with a studied competence. Liverpool limited Arsenal to an xG of 0.57. They were already the only team to stop Arsenal scoring this season. Now they have done it twice.
“Liverpool have had too few clean sheets this season but they have also shut out Real Madrid, Internazionale and Aston Villa. They have shown they can attack and defend well; but rarely both in the same game. Indeed, and for the first time in 15 years in the Premier League, Liverpool failed to register a shot on target, even if Conor Bradley did strike the Arsenal bar from 25 yards.
“That apart, it was scarcely proof of the attacking principles Slot had boasted about on Wednesday. He was, though, short of attackers. Yet his approach may have been an indication that the realities of management can make hypocrites of everyone.”
And the ECHO’s verdict reads: “The chant that came from the away end as the final whistle signalled a goalless draw at the Emirates was one of defiance. The Liverpool supporters, tucked away on the far side, reminded their Arsenal hosts just who it is who are still, for now at least, the champions of England.
“And while that is a boast that they will only be able to bellow out for the next handful of months, this was finally – belatedly – a performance befitting of their status.
“It was not free flowing and it wasn’t particularly pretty during large parts, but it was dogged and determined at a time when backs are to the wall and chins are on the floor.
“Draws are often defeats with better PR for Liverpool but this one was one to reflect positively on. Now to build on it. They are still champions after all.”
