It is. Honours even at the break.

Youri Tielemans is brought down around 45-yards out and John McGinn delivers to the far post. Ezri Konsa was arriving but he pokes his shot wide.

That will surely be the last action before the break.

Lucas Digne tries to float it over the wall but it ends up going straight into it.

Turns out it was straight into Gabriel's face.

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Morgan Rogers does a really good job there, he anticipates where that long ball comes down and does well to get there ahead of Declan Rice.

Image source, Getty Images

We're into two minutes of added-on time at the end of this first period.

Gabriel sticks his leg out to prevent Morgan Rogers getting through and ends up catching him in the ribs. It's right on the edge of the area and, given the height of the challenge, it's a yellow card as well.

Aston Villa have a free-kick in a very dangerous area right at the end of this first half.

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Zaniolo's ball retention has been really good. Whenever Aston Villa have tried to get out of pressure, they have looked for him and he has done really well on the ball.

Kai Havertz is in behind again but there's no one in the six-yard box to meet his square ball.

The flag is up anyway.

Moments later Bukayo Saka cuts in from the edge of the box and looks to curl a shot into the far corner but it's just wide of the post.

This game has sparked into life just minutes before half time.

What a save!

Arsenal get back up the other end and Emiliano Martinez somehow denies Leandro Trossard from a couple of yards out.

Image source, Getty Images

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Watkins is so, so unlucky. He hits the strike across David Raya, it hits the inside of the post and somehow, it doesn't go in on the other side.

Aston Villa get on the counter attack and Ollie Watkins is through on goal but his shot clips the inside of the post and ricochets back across goal. He's so unlucky that it doesn't go in.

Villa have managed to get on a couple of decent counter attacks in the past few minutes. It's livening up.

Image source, Getty Images

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Ben White was rightly booked there. The referee did the right thing to allow the play to continue and then book White for tugging the shirt.

Ben White goes into the book for a pull of the shirt on Nicolo Zaniolo.

The Italian now looks to be in a bit of discomfort after colliding with Youri Tielemans. He needs a bit of attention but is fine to continue. Boos ring round the Emirates for the disruption.

Aston Villa look to get on the counter-attack and Youri Tielemans drives through the middle of the park but his pass is poor and David Raya collects.

Image source, Getty Images

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

That keeps happening. Havertz keeps getting the run in off the back of McGinn and it's only Diego Carlos' pace that is saving him. He needs to track that run quicker.

Kai Havertz chases down a ball from midfield and Diego Carlos does well to get across him and prevent the shot.

Emiliano Martinez knocks it out of play for a corner, which Bukayo Saka floats in but it misses everyone in the box.

Liverpool

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson to Sky Sports on where the team's drop off in form has come from: "It's only really been lately. We've not been as clinical in front of goal since we came back from international duty. Which when you are going for titles and trophies is not a great thing to have. We are obviously off the boil in front of goal. No goals at Anfield is very rare and we have punished for it which at this stage of the season you cannot really do.

"Now obviously the teams about us will win games. But today is done and there's a lot of regrets in the dressing room which we didn't want. We have to move on and that's the only thing all we can do now."

On why there wasn't a response to the Atalanta defeat: "I'm not sure. The crowd were anxious today, and rightly so the way we were passing the ball, giving it away and giving chances. Maybe we reacted to that. Maybe players who aren't as experienced at being in a title race.

"But we're all quality players and that's why you are at Liverpool and you have to deal with that pressure. Second half we were better but we didn't take them. All the strikers had a chance and if you don't take them you get punished."

Corner sent in by Bukayo Saka but Aston Villa eventually do well to clear the danger.

They will take their time on the ball, here and try to just get a sustained period of possession under their belts.