‘Not the same’ – National media react to Arsenal’s thrilling Premier League draw at Liverpool

All the latest Arsenal news as the Gunners ensure they top the Premier League table on Christmas Day with a point against Liverpool

Arsenal will top the Premier League table on Christmas Day for the second consecutive year after drawing 1-1 with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday. The Gunners ticked off another tough fixture in their league campaign as they aim to become champions for the first time since 2004.

Gabriel Magalhaes netted his first goal of the season, his first strike since March, to put Mikel Arteta’s men ahead on Merseyside before Mohamed Salah levelled the scoring before half-time.

Both teams put everything into the title contest with Trent Alexander-Arnold smashing the crossbar from a Liverpool counter-attack. However, the Reds would have felt hard done by after referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR failed to spot Martin Odegaard’s blatant handball inside the box.

The result means Arsenal will be league leaders over Christmas with Manchester City not in action due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. Following the draw against Jurgen Klopp’s men, we’ve taken a look at how the national media reacted below.

Mark Jones writes: “This is a fixture which looms large in Arsenal minds given some of their past experiences here, with Mikel Arteta himself once in a Gunners side beaten 5-1 after conceding four times in the first 20 minutes. In such trying matches the need for a ‘fast start’ is often spoken about, but it is the need for a smart one which is more important.

“And Arsenal were smart here, locking onto Liverpool’s creative players and giving them very little opportunity to find a pass. They stifled their hosts, forced early set pieces and then punished a Reds side who were guilty of slack marking. Gabriel’s goal came after just four minutes, but it was coming.”