City and Liverpool stumble as Arsenal open four-point lead at halfway mark

Arsenal’s advantage at the top of the Premier League widened to four points after both Manchester City and Liverpool were held to goalless draws on a frustrating, low-scoring night that underlined the growing unpredictability of England’s top flight.

City were surprisingly contained in a 0-0 draw away to Sunderland, while Liverpool also failed to find a breakthrough at Anfield against newly promoted Leeds. With the season reaching its halfway stage, the results strengthened Arsenal’s bid for a first league title since 2004 and raised fresh questions about the attacking sharpness of their closest rivals.

At the Stadium of Light, Erling Haaland and City came up against a disciplined Sunderland side that has developed a reputation for unsettling the league’s elite. The hosts, who have already drawn with Arsenal and beaten Newcastle at home this season, frustrated the champions with compact defending and tireless pressing.

City arrived on the back of an eight-match winning run in all competitions but struggled to impose their usual authority. Haaland had chances on either side of halftime but was unable to add to his league-leading tally of 19 goals. The clearest openings fell instead to substitute defender Josko Gvardiol, who struck the post with a flicked effort and later had a close-range header saved.

Spain midfielder Rodri made his return after two months out with a hamstring injury, coming on at halftime to steady City’s midfield. Captain Bernardo Silva acknowledged the challenge of maintaining perfection across a long season. “You can’t be perfect every time,” he said, pointing to the team’s resilience even when fluency is lacking.

At Anfield, Liverpool’s attacking struggles continued in a 0-0 draw against Leeds that drew frustration from the home crowd. Hugo Ekitike wasted the hosts’ best chance with a wayward header in the first half, as Liverpool labored to create clear opportunities.

Key absences blunted their attack, with Alexander Isak sidelined by injury and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Liverpool remain fourth in the table, now 12 points adrift of Arsenal in what has become an increasingly underwhelming title defense.

Manager Arne Slot defended his side’s cautious approach, highlighting improved defensive solidity after early-season lapses. “In games like this, we’ve conceded before,” he said. “That didn’t happen today, and that’s a positive.”

Elsewhere, it was a night of stalemates and late drama. Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw at Brentford, while Fulham salvaged a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace thanks to Tom Cairney’s 80th-minute equalizer after Jean-Philippe Mateta had headed the hosts in front.

For Palace, the draw extended their winless run to six matches across all competitions, with injuries and international absences continuing to take a toll.

As City and Liverpool falter, Arsenal appear increasingly composed and consistent — qualities that may prove decisive as the title race enters its second half.