Three things we learned from Arsenal draw as Gyökeres questions grow

A grim night at the Emirates Stadium ended with more frustration than satisfaction for Arsenal, as a goalless draw with Liverpool denied Mikel Arteta’s side the chance to tighten their grip on the Premier League title race.

In miserable conditions, Arsenal failed to make home advantage count. While Liverpool did not register a shot on target, the Gunners offered little themselves — especially after the break — leaving the significance of these dropped points to linger as the season heads towards its decisive stretch.

The context made the outcome feel heavier than a routine draw.

With Manchester City and Aston Villa both drawing earlier in the week, victory would have moved Arsenal eight points clear at the summit.

Instead, Arsenal let the moment pass. The second half was particularly disappointing, drifting into a pattern that suited Liverpool. Dominik Szoboszlai was allowed to take pot-shots from distance, while Arsenal struggled to impose themselves despite having superior depth.

Mikel Arteta had options — Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke among them — yet Liverpool did not make a change until stoppage time, and even that was enforced by injury. The contrast was striking.

The atmosphere before kick-off was intense, with a full-stadium display setting a raucous tone. By full-time, that emotion had turned counterproductive.

Arsenal’s second-half performance was disjointed. They were pinned back for spells and, when possession was regained, rushed passes repeatedly went astray. Arteta could be seen urging calm from the touchline after Declan Rice fizzed a pass straight into touch — a moment that summed up the night.

Frustration spread into the stands as Liverpool enjoyed sustained possession following frantic clearances. Arsenal’s midfield structure loosened, and their attacking threat became reliant on hopeful moments out wide rather than controlled pressure.

With 17 league matches still to play, this was a reminder that composure will be as important as quality in the run-in.

The spotlight inevitably returned to Viktor Gyökeres, whose Arsenal career continues to flatter to deceive.

The striker has not scored from open play since early November, and this was another anonymous display. Despite Arsenal repeatedly working promising positions down the right in the first half, Gyökeres was rarely where he needed to be. Crosses to the back post and cut-backs into the box went unmet, with the forward often a passenger in the very areas he should dominate.

Replaced shortly after the hour mark, the sense is growing that change is coming. Whether through Gabriel Jesus or Mikel Merino stepping into a false-nine role, Arteta’s patience looks close to being tested.

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League, but opportunities like this will not come often. With momentum fragile and margins tightening, Arteta may be forced to rethink his attacking setup — particularly up front — before these missed chances begin to define the title race.

The dropped points may feel minor now, but by May, this could be one of the nights Arsenal look back on.

Was this simply one of those nights — or are Arsenal’s attacking issues, especially around Gyökeres, becoming a genuine title concern?