Arsenal will celebrate Christmas as Premier League leaders after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday.
It was the perfect start for Arsenal, who found themselves ahead after just three minutes. Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest from a Martin Odegaard free-kick and survived a VAR check to put the Gunners in an imposing position.
GABRIEL!! GET IN BOYS #COYG
— Jeffrey Chonko ⚛️ (@Gooner_Chonko) December 23, 2023
THE ANGEL GABRIEL DELIVERS TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
— Dr Iron Junkie Ⓥ (@DrIronJunkie) December 23, 2023
That was so amateurish defending from Liverpool lol
— Z (@zhashank) December 23, 2023
Konate’s defending for the goal pic.twitter.com/jEPIyqhjqi
— 🍉 (@Flaminiesta) December 23, 2023
Liverpool felt they should have been awarded a route back into the game when Martin Odegaard clearly handled the ball in the penalty area. The Arsenal man slipped while trying to defend Salah and his flailing arm almost dragged the ball back into his possession.
The on-field referee did not make a decision and the VAR declined to intervene, leaving most supporters scratching their heads.
I do not know the handball rule. I don’t think I ever will again.
— Seb Stafford-Bloor (@SebSB) December 23, 2023
That is the definition of handball. Stonewall penalty. Not even worth asking the referee to have another look?!
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) December 23, 2023
Is that a new rule that if you are slipping it can’t be a handball?! 🤯
— George (@georgeyboy) December 23, 2023
But Liverpool fans weren’t grumbling for much longer as Mohamed Salah fired his side back level with a delightful goal.
The Egyptian collected a sensational long ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold before eating Oleksandr Zinchenko alive and thundering home into David Raya’s net.
SALAH OWNS THEM
— rhys (@cxzrsu) December 23, 2023
That assist by TRENT 😭😭😭 perfectttttttt and Salah didn’t waste it
My boysssssss 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️
— 𝗛𝗢𝗞𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗭𝗜𝗫𝗡📊👨🏽💻 (@Xionne_) December 23, 2023
Zinchenko is a worse defender than trent prove me wrong
— White Boi (@Alex_Marcelle_) December 23, 2023
Zinchenko and Trent trying to defend pic.twitter.com/f1LWSk52RO
— Chad #PochOut (@WinstanleyFan) December 23, 2023
Injuries ended up being a major problem for Liverpool as the game progressed.
First up, left-back Kostas Tsimikas appeared to be shunted to the ground by Bukayo Saka and ended up barrelling through Jurgen Klopp, who landed on his defender before being forced to replace him.
Tsimikas with an incredible tackle on klopp
Have that!!!— Captain_Page 🇦🇺 (@pAge_y0u) December 23, 2023
Klopp and Saka tag teamed their Tsimikas into an injury.
— uThato (@u_Thato) December 23, 2023
Tsimikas was joined in the treatment room by Luis Diaz midway through the second half after his own collision with Saka.
How does saka send 2 players off with injury and is still in the match???
— Rikki💜𝕏 was forced to (@_rhikki_) December 23, 2023
Saka winner man i can smell it
— Kil🇸🇩 (@Mvhammadxo) December 23, 2023
There was to be no Saka winner, however, with no further goals coming for either side.
The result keeps Arsenal top of the table and will see Gunners fans across the globe celebrate Christmas as the Premier League leaders, while Liverpool remain third.
Only a draw I’ll take that don’t drop points only 1 point behind that’s gooooood UP THE REDS
— lucie 🏁 (@1edbull) December 23, 2023
draw was the fair result. i think if timber or zinchenko were fit. we win that game. we move on . COYG
— Big Jonny the gunner (@jonnythegunner) December 23, 2023
Top. Happy Christmas Gooners.
— 11cannons (@11cannons) December 23, 2023
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