Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool: Hits and Flops

Arsenal prolonged their unbeaten run in the league to nine games after holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates. James Milner scored a peach of a strike early in the second half to break the deadlock, and the Reds were comfortably sailing towards another victory before Alexandre Lacazette produced a brilliant moment of individual skill to equalise just 10 minutes from time.

Whilst this fixture didn't produce the kind of manic goalfest it did last time - 10 goals between these sides in two league encounters in 2017/18 - it, however, did produce several nervy moments at either end as Arsenal and Liverpool both came close on several occasions throughout the game, but it was a case of missed chances.

The result leaves the Merseysiders provisionally at the top of the table, while the Gunners are up to fifth now.

Here are the hits and flops from the game:

Hit: Virgil Van Dijk

Van Dijk was colossal for Liverpool in the back four

Liverpool's £75 million outlay to sign the Dutchman seemed quiet exorbitant at the time. But 11 months into his Liverpool career, he has time and again been proved value for money. And against Arsenal, put on a performance to remember.

Van Dijk was up hill and down dale, throwing his weight around the defense and never letting the Gunners a leeway in or around the area. He showed great positional awareness whilst also proving to be an immense aerial presence. His 94% success with the passes is also unparalleled by any player to feature in this game.

Van Dijk's only sore note, however, came at the other end of the field when he was denied - twice - from getting on target, once by the damned woodwork, and once by Leno. Otherwise, it was a night he won't forget in a long time.

#2 Flop: Roberto Firmino

Not a good day at the office for Firmino

The Brazilian was on target in both league games against Arsenal last term. But today, forget bagging a strike, he struggled to even barely make a mark. Not that his attacking cohorts Salah and Mane were prolific, but Firmino was somehow the weakest link in the game.

Besides a few good passes hither and a burst of pace down the flank thither, his attacking presence was close to non-existent. Arsenal barely broke a sweat while trying to cope with his attacking threat. He was dispossessed twice while his only shot on target out of three was effortlessly blocked. In fact, he had the least amount of touches on the ball amongst the front three.

Firmino ran increasingly out of steam and was eventually put out of his misery on being replaced by Shaqiri. His goalless run in the league now stretches to six games.

#3 Hit: The goals

Milner and Lacazette scored two wowzers

Arsenal vs Liverpool might have only failed to deliver on the goal count, but the two strikes we got to witness were as top-notch as it nearly always is in this fixture. Milner and Lacazette were men on target here, scoring two peaches that stand-out in their own way.

The Reds skipper pounced on a loose ball from Sane's cross by arrowing a low drive into the bottom corner from right outside the area. The power and precision with which Milner executed the shot was simply sublime; the hallmark of a seasoned professional. But just 20 minutes later, Lacazette stole the thunder with another superb individual goal.

The Frenchman stormed into the area, but instead of trying a shot, he pulled back, and Alisson along with him, and then sent a magnificent curler into the bottom corner to restore parity.

Two absolute beauties.

#4 Flop: Hector Bellerin

Bellerin was off the pace

Not exactly a bad performance, but Hector Bellerin wasn't a cosmic presence in defence for the Gunners either. The Spanish fullback was a soft spot at the back for them as Liverpool enjoyed piling up the pressure from the flanks. His trademark forays forward often left acres of space at the back for the visitors to make a meal of, while he was also dispossessed once.

Bellerin was good offensively - trying two attempts at goal and also completing a dribble, but he left a lot to be desired at the back. He had only returned from an injury lay-off, and his performance had every bit of such a player. The Arsenal right-back might need some more time to get back to his best but can take heart from the fact that he didn't put a wrong foot forward on the game.