Mikel Arteta has likened playing at Anfield to being in a washing machine - and watching this breathless encounter it was easy to see why.

Arsenal’s performances this season have been all about control, but this clash at Anfield was played at a frantic and frightening pace.

At the end of it, both sets of players were on their feet and you could hardly blame them.

Crucially for Arsenal, though, they left Anfield with the point that means they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.

Their wait for a first League win at Anfield since 2012 goes on, but Arteta will be pleased with the way his side went toe to toe with Liverpool.

At times it was evident Arsenal were in “the washing machine”, particularly after Mohamed Salah cancelled out Gabriel’s opener around the half-hour mark.

That sparked Anfield into life and the noise Jurgen Klopp had been calling for in the build-up to this match was heard.

Arsenal were rocking and their left side, in particular, looked vulnerable. Zinchenko was struggling against Salah, but equally ahead of him Gabriel Martinelli was wasteful in possession.

Half-time brought some rest for Arsenal, however Liverpool came at them again after the break. Joe Gomez flashed an effort wide and then Declan Rice tracked back well to intercept a through-ball from Salah.

In years gone by, Arsenal could have easily collapsed - but this time they steadied the ship.

That was thanks largely to the trio of Gabriel, Rice and William Saliba, who rose to the occasion to get Arsenal over the line.

There was still the odd hairy moment, not least when Liverpool squandered a four-on-one as Trent Alexander-Arnold crashed an effort in the crossbar.

But when you come to a ground like Anfield, you need to ride your luck - and Liverpool will feel Arsenal got some when Martin Odegaard survived a penalty shout for handball in the first-half.

Arsenal, however, will point to this result as being evidence of their resilience this season to dig deep.

Gabriel was defiant at the back, winning countless headers and easing pressure when he could. Saliba oozed composure and refused to panic in possession. At one moment, he left two Liverpool attackers for dead with a turn that Bukayo Saka would have been proud of.

As for Rice, what more can you say? Another big game, another big performance. The midfielder was everywhere.