Arsenal Top Premier League At Christmas After Anfield Draw With Liverpool
Arsenal will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day for the second year in a row.
The Gunners drew 1-1 with title rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
Gabriel headed home from a Martin Odegaard free-kick to put the visitors ahead after just 207 seconds.
But Liverpool hit back in the 29th minute when Mo Salah scored a brilliant solo goal after dribbling past Oleksandr Zinchenko following a 60-yard assist by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool went close to winning the game in the second half when Alexander-Arnold rattled the crossbar but Arsenal held on for a point.
Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal defender Gabriel pictured celebrating after scoring in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday
IMAGO/Sportimage/Darren Staples
Saturday's result saw Mikel Arteta's side stay top of the table, leaving Liverpool one point behind in second.
Arsenal now have 40 points from 18 games, while Liverpool have 39 from 18.
Aston Villa have also taken 39 points from their first 18 EPL matches of the season, but sit third due to Liverpool having a superior goal difference.
Tottenham Hotspur - who beat Everton 2-1 earlier on Saturday - are fourth with 36 points.
World champions Manchester City are now fifth with 34 points but have played a game fewer than their rivals.
How The Top Of The EPL Table Will Look On Christmas Day 2023
| Team | Games | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Arsenal | 18 | 40 | +20 |
2. Liverpool | 18 | 39 | +21 |
3. Aston Villa | 18 | 39 | +16 |
4. Tottenham | 18 | 36 | +13 |
5. Man City | 17 | 34 | +20 |
Is Being Top At Christmas Significant?
The team top of the table on Christmas Day has gone on to win the Premier League title in 10 of the last 14 seasons.
But Arsenal led the league by a margin of five points on December 25 last year, only to eventually finish five points behind champions Manchester City.
Arsenal also topped the table at Christmas during the 2002/03 and 2007/08 seasons without going on to win the EPL.
