Arsenal stretched their Premiership lead to five points after a Highbury stalemate with title rivals Liverpool.

Gerard Houllier's side looked on course for their first league victory in nine games when Danny Murphy gave them the lead from the penalty spot in the second half.

But Thierry Henry responded in similar fashion for the Gunners after John Arne Riise was harshly judged to have fouled substitute Francis Jeffers.

Liverpool will take heart from the performance, but suffered a blow when Michael Owen limped off with a hamstring injury in the first half.

Mr Winter was conned by the dive of Francis Jeffers Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier

And Arsenal ended up regretting a last-minute open goal squandered by Brazilian GIlberto.

Liverpool recalled Bruno Cheyrou and left out Djimi Traore, while Arsenal kept Dennis Bergkamp on the bench.

The first half was dour in the extreme, with Liverpool clearly setting their stall out to frustrate Arsenal.

And their cause was not helped when Owen was forced to limp out of the action after 33 minutes.

Arsenal dominated territory and possession, but were met by a resilient Liverpool rearguard and a goalkeeper on form in the shape of Chris Kirkland.

Sol Campbell had the ball in the net early on, but his header was ruled out for a foul on Salif Diao.

Kirkland was in confident mood in front of England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, and he did well to keep out Sylvain Wiltord after 31 minutes when he was replaced by Henry.

Danny Murphy escapes Ashley Cole

Liverpool adopted a more positive approach after the break - and the game opened up accordingly.

Kirkland did well to claw Pires' shot over the top after he dropped Henry's drive, then Wiltord struck the side-netting after breaking clear.

But Liverpool were a team transformed and twice wasted opportunities to take the lead on the hour.

El-Hadji Diouf, on for Owen, swiped at thin air when the slightest touch would have sent the ball past Ashley Cole, who cleared on the line.

And Milan Baros struck the outside of the upright from a narrow angle after David Seaman failed to claim the ball.

Houllier looks on as Wenger looks down

It was the signal for Arsenal to introduce Bergkamp at the expense of Kanu - but it was Liverpool who took the lead after 69 minutes.

Referee Jeff Winter pointed to the spot after Campbell hauled down Baros, and Murphy despatched the penalty confidently into the top corner.

Arsenal immediately sent on Jeffers for Wiltord, and the former Evertonian had an instant impact.

Winter harshly ruled that Riise had fouled Jeffers, and Henry thumped home the spot-kick.

Arsenal should have snatched victory deep into injury-time, but Gilberto shot wide of an open goal from only six yards out.

Watch a round up of the Weekend's Premiership action

Arsenal: Seaman, Lauren, Campbell, Keown, Cole, Wiltord (Jeffers 76), Silva, Vieira, Pires (Van Bronckhorst 84), Henry, Kanu (Bergkamp 65).
Subs not used: Taylor, Luzhny.

Booked: Campbell

Liverpool: Kirkland, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Murphy, Gerrard, Diao, Cheyrou (Traore 80), Baros (Biscan 86), Owen (Diouf 33).
Subs not used: Arphexad, Mellor.

Booked: Diao, Murphy, Riise

Attendance: 38,074

Referee: J Winter (Cleveland)