OPINION: VIKTOR GYOKERES’ 10-GAME GOAL DROUGHT IS OFFICIALLY CRIPPLING ARSENAL’S TITLE CHARGE
Arsenal failed to go 8 points clear after a 0-0 draw with Liverpool in Storm Goretti. See the latest on the Gyokeres drought.
Arsenal let a big chance slip. They could’ve gone eight points clear at the top, but instead, they had to settle for a goalless draw with Liverpool at the Emirates.
Liverpool, one of just two teams to beat Mikel Arteta’s side this season, almost stole it when Conor Bradley smashed the crossbar. Arsenal, surprisingly, failed to score at home for the first time all season, but the draw still pushes their lead over Manchester City to six points.
The city’s run of three straight draws gave Arsenal a real shot at closing in on their first league title in over two decades. You could feel the buzz before kickoff—the Emirates was rocking. But once the match started, it just didn’t live up to the hype. The weather didn’t help either. Storm Goretti brought heavy rain and wind that made things tricky for both teams.
Liverpool isn’t really in the title race anymore since they beat Arsenal back in August, but they’re on a 10-game unbeaten run and are solidifying their spot in the top four.
For much of the first half, Liverpool barely got out of their own half, but they still had the best chance before the break. William Saliba’s risky backpass almost embarrassed David Raya, and with the keeper stranded, Bradley’s lob bounced off the underside of the bar.
After halftime, Liverpool took control and kept Arsenal penned back. Still, they were missing some major firepower—Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike were injured, and Mohamed Salah is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Without them, Liverpool didn’t threaten much, apart from Jeremie Frimpong’s speedy runs, but he couldn’t quite deliver the final ball.
Dominik Szoboszlai nearly pulled off another free-kick stunner, just like last time, but his shot dipped too late.
Arsenal’s attack didn’t look much better. Viktor Gyokeres got subbed off after another tough outing; his goal drought from open play is now at 10 games. Arteta threw on Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli to try to change things, but Arsenal didn’t get a shot on target in the second half until stoppage time. Jesus and Martinelli both shot straight at Alisson Becker.
In the end, Liverpool took a point and now sits three points clear of Newcastle and Manchester United in the race for a Champions League spot next season.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
