Erling Haaland and Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by Sunderland on Thursday, a result that left Arsenal with a four-point lead at the halfway stage of the Premier League season.
Liverpool also struggled to score and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Leeds United at Anfield. Both matches showed how competitive and balanced the Premier League has become, with even top teams finding it hard to break down opponents.
These draws may also explain why Arsenal have managed to pull ahead after 19 of the 38 league games. In their push for a first league title since 2004, Arsenal have benefited from the fact that Manchester City and Liverpool, who have dominated English football over the past decade, are not as sharp in attack as before.
It was a low-scoring night across the league. Tottenham Hotspur were also held to a 0-0 draw by Brentford. In another match, Fulham scored late in the game, in the 80th minute, to earn a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
The results highlighted the depth and competitiveness of England’s top football league, where no match is easy and surprises are common.