Reds go to No.1 after City-Arsenal draw
Manchester City failed to break down a determined Arsenal defence as a highly-anticipated clash at the top of the Premier League failed to live up to the hype in a 0-0 draw at the Etihadk.
Liverpool were the big winners of the day in the title race as they beat Brighton 2-1 to go top, two points ahead of Arsenal and three clear of City with nine games to play.
A share of the spoils preserves City’s unbeaten home run stretching back to November 2022 and ends Arsenal’s eight-match winning run in the EPL.
But it is the Gunners who will be happier with a point as they prevented Pep GuardioMikel la’s men from scoring at the Etihad for the first time in two years and 58 home games in all competitions.
“Defensively we were said Arsenal outstanding,” boss
Arteta. “The next step is with the ball to have more composure to attack better.”
City had 72 per cent possession but struggled to make anything of it against a defence that has conceded the fewest goals in the EPL this season.
“We didn’t create much but it was almost actions,” Guardiola said. “It’s not easy to break them (down) but I recognise the intention was there.”
Guardiola said Liverpool were now “favourites” to win the title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season.
City are still yet to win in six matches this season against other sides in the EPL top five and must end that run when fourth-placed Aston Villa visit on Wednesday to keep title challenge alive.
“Always who is first is favourite, second favourite is Arsenal,” added Guardiola.
“It is not in our hands. All we can do is win against Aston Villa.”
Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool to the top as the Egypt star’s clinical finish capped a stirring fightback to beat Brighton 2-1 on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were rocked by Danny Welbeck’s blistering strike after just 85 seconds at Anfield.
Luis Diaz restored order with an equaliser later in the first half, before Salah netted after the interval to seal a vital victory. their