Liverpool collected a point to spare them the embarrassment of a fifth consecutive League defeat, but teenage striker Robbie Fowler blew a hat-trick of chances to beat below-par Arsenal. The 18-year-old England youth star, making his home League debut, sent a close-range header straight at England goalkeeper David Seaman soon after half time. Then in the space of three minutes, he twice failed to beat Seaman after slipping past full-back Lee Dixon.
Arsenal, out of sorts up front, where lan Wright had barely a sniff of goal against his namesake Mark Wright and the uncompromising Neil Ruddock, leaned heavily on their famous defensive resilience and Tony Adams and Andy Linighan were formidable figures at the back. Seaman was also in superb form, saving well twice from Don Hutchinson and also holding a blistering drive by Jamie Redknapp.
Bruce Grobbelaar was a virtual spectator for most of the time and although Paul Meron’s 20-yard blast shaved his crossbar in the first half, it was not until well into the second period that the Gunners managed their first on-target effort again by Merson, but comfortably held by the keeper. Eight minutes from the end, however, Merson appeared to have a golden chance to snatch an undeserved victory, but he lost his footing 10 yards from goal when perfectly placed to meet an Eddie McGoldrick cross after Kevin Campbell’s run opened up the Liverpool defence. It was a mistake that cost Arsenal dear, with Manchester United moving five points clear of them at the top of the Premiership. But neither side deserved to take full points in a largely untidy Anfield battle.
