Honestly, if you missed the Arsenal FC vs Liverpool live broadcast on January 8, 2026, you probably looked at the 0-0 scoreline and thought, "Standard cagey big-six affair." You'd be half right. It was cagey. It was tense. But calling it just another draw ignores the massive ripple effects that are currently tearing through the Premier League table as we speak.
The Emirates was rocking. You could feel the expectation. Arsenal had this golden chance to go eight points clear at the top. Instead, they’re sitting six points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa. That might sound comfortable, but in this league? It's a thin cushion.
What Really Happened on the Pitch
The game was a tactical chess match that eventually turned into a war of attrition. Mikel Arteta brought Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard back into the starting XI after resting them against Bournemouth. It looked like a masterstroke early on. Saka was absolutely terrorizing the left side of Liverpool’s defense, nearly carving out a tap-in for Martin Zubimendi in the opening minutes.
Then things got weird.
A total breakdown in communication between William Saliba and David Raya—something you almost never see from this Arsenal backline—gave Conor Bradley a look at an open net. His effort rattled the woodwork. It was the closest anyone came to scoring all night.
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The Injury Fallout is Brutal
If you're an Arsenal fan, the 0-0 draw isn't even the worst part. It's the physio room.
- Piero Hincapie went down in the 51st minute with a groin/hamstring issue. He’s already missed the cup games since then.
- Riccardo Calafiori is still out with a muscular injury, with Arteta recently suggesting he's weeks away.
- Conor Bradley (Liverpool) arguably had it worst. He’s undergone surgery for a knee injury sustained in this match and is likely out for the rest of the 2025/26 season.
Liverpool’s injury list is starting to look like a hospital wing. Alexander Isak is recovering from a fractured fibula, and Giovanni Leoni is out with an ACL. Arne Slot has been putting on a brave face, but losing Bradley for the season is a massive blow to their defensive rotation.
Tactical Breakdown: Why Nobody Scored
Liverpool’s defense was surprisingly disciplined. Ibrahima Konaté was a monster in the air, and Alexis Mac Allister seemed to be everywhere, breaking up play before Arsenal could transition.
Arteta tried to shake things up late. He threw on Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke in the 78th minute. It felt a bit late, didn't it? Most of us in the stands were wondering why Viktor Gyokeres was pulled so early when the Gunners needed a goal.
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"The boys deserve praise for this period," Arteta said after the match. He's trying to stay positive, but the frustration was visible.
Gabriel Martinelli even tried to physically push an injured Conor Bradley off the field late in the game just to speed things up. That’s the level of desperation we’re talking about.
The Standings as of January 17, 2026
Where does this leave us? Arsenal is still the team to beat, but the momentum has shifted slightly.
- Arsenal: 1st place, 6 points clear.
- Man City/Aston Villa: Chasing hard, hoping Arsenal slips up at Nottingham Forest.
- Liverpool: 4th place, trailing the leaders by 14 points.
Liverpool’s title defense has basically evaporated at this point. They’re now fighting to keep that Champions League spot while dealing with a squad that's held together by sports tape and prayer.
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How to Follow the Remainder of the Season
If you want to catch the replays or the next big fixtures, most of the action is staying on Peacock Premium in the US. They’ve got the full match replay of the Arsenal vs Liverpool draw if you really want to dissect every missed pass.
For the live matches coming up, keep an eye on:
- Streaming: Peacock (175 exclusive games).
- TV: NBCSN and USA Network.
- International: Optus Sport (Australia) and Sky Sports (UK) remain the primary hubs.
The reality is that Arsenal's depth is about to be tested like never before. With Hincapie and Calafiori out, we might see more of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, which makes some fans nervous. He’s talented, sure, but he’s being targeted by experienced wingers.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor the Friday Pressers: Arteta is notoriously cryptic about injury timelines. Check the official Arsenal app on Friday mornings for the most "honest" updates on Hincapie.
- Watch the Forest Game: Arsenal travels to the City Ground today (Jan 17). How they respond to the Liverpool draw will tell us if they have the mental strength to finish this title race.
- Check the Transfer Market: With the January window open and the fullback depth looking paper-thin, expect rumors around Arsenal's defensive targets to intensify this week.