Friday’s briefing: Arsenal held by Liverpool as tributes paid to Terry Yorath

Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, leaving them still six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Tributes were paid to Wales and Leeds great Terry Yorath, who died aged 75, while Manchester City have completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

Lacklustre Gunners left frustrated by Reds stalemate

Arsenal failed to extend their Premier League lead over title rivals Manchester City to eight points following a goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

After City limped to a 1-1 draw against Brighton on Wednesday, Arsenal had the chance to put clear daylight between themselves and Pep Guardiola’s side at the top of the table.

But while Arsenal enjoyed the best of the first half – despite Conor Bradley hitting the woodwork for Liverpool – the hosts spent much of the second period penned in by the side they are bidding to dethrone as champions.

Dominik Szoboszlai came closest when his free-kick dropped just over the crossbar as Arsenal rarely threatened.

Nevertheless, the draw takes Arsenal six points clear of City, with Liverpool 14 points behind, as they bid to end their 22-year wait for a title.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta defended Gabriel Martinelli after the Brazilian forward appeared to throw the ball at injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during the closing stages, which provoked a furious reaction from the visitors.

“Knowing Gabi, he’s an incredible, lovely guy,” Arteta said. “He probably didn’t realise what happened.”

Martinelli posted on Instagram that he was “deeply sorry” for the incident and had apologised directly to the Liverpool defender.

Terry Yorath impact on Welsh football ‘immeasurable’

Terry Yorath’s impact on Welsh football has been described as “immeasurable” by current Wales boss Craig Bellamy following the former national team manager’s death at the age of 75.

Yorath – who played a big part in the Leeds team under Don Revie, winning the First Division title, before spells with Coventry, Tottenham and Bradford – won 59 caps for Wales between 1969 and 1981, 42 of them as captain, and led his country to the quarter-finals of the 1976 European Championship.

Cardiff-born Yorath, who died following a short illness, later managed Wales from 1989 to 1993, taking them to the brink of 1994 World Cup qualification when a missed penalty in the final game against Romania proved costly.

“The impact Terry Yorath had on Welsh football is immeasurable,” Bellamy said on the Football Association of Wales’ X account.

“Terry epitomised everything it means to represent Cymru as a player, and watching the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign with him as manager was the first time I experienced genuine belief that our country could qualify for a major tournament.

“As a country, we have so much to thank Terry for what he did. My thoughts and condolences are with Terry’s family and friends during this difficult time, everyone in the Welsh football family will miss an incredible person.”

Antoine Semenyo completes Man City move

Manchester City have completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old winger has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium after the clubs agreed an initial fee of £62.5million.

The Ghana international has scored 10 goals and provided three assists for the Cherries in the Premier League this season.

His final act for the south coast club was a stunning stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday.

Semenyo had been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, but City stepped up their interest as the January transfer window approached and the formalities of the move, including a medical, were completed on Thursday.

What’s on today?

The FA Cup third round starts on Friday night, with four ties kicking off a bumper weekend.

Wrexham will be out to cause an upset when they host Premier League Nottingham Forest, Oxford travel to MK Dons, Port Vale take on Fleetwood and Preston meet Wigan – who memorably won the 2013 final at Wembley.

In the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, Mali play Senegal and Cameroon take on hosts Morocco.