Arsenal spurned several chances and failed to take full advantage of Premier League leaders Liverpool's slip-up against Fulham when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Everton on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta's side kept their gap to Liverpool at six points but after their rivals were held to a 2-2 draw, title hopefuls Arsenal will be disappointed not to have made up some ground.

Arsenal remain third in the table on 30 points from 16 games, one point behind second-placed Chelsea, who host Brentford on Sunday. Everton are 15th with 15 points.

In a lively start at the Emirates, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães, making his return from a hamstring injury, thwarted Abdoulaye Doucouré with an excellent block while Martin Ødegaard twice shot wide from promising positions.

Ødegaard was heavily involved in Arsenal's attack throughout the first half and the Norwegian midfielder was played in by Bukayo Saka in the 29th minute, but his deflected shot was well kept out by Jordan Pickford.

Arsenal dominated possession but lacked their typical intensity, though they were able to test Pickford once again before the break, forcing the England stopper into another fine save to deny Gabriel Martinelli from a tight angle.

The hosts were more aggressive after half-time and almost nabbed a goal right away, but Pickford got down quickly to stop Saka's shot before racing off his line to clear a poor backpass and spare teammate Jarrad Branthwaite's blushes.

Frustrated by his team's inability to break down a resolute Everton, Arteta made a big call just past the hour mark, taking off regulars Ødegaard and Declan Rice in a double substitution and bringing on Jorginho and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.

The changes did not pay dividends.

Everton, who snapped a three-match losing streak against Arsenal, kept the north London club off the scoresheet by swarming them every time they got near the penalty area.

The home side thought they had a penalty with minutes to go when Thomas Partey appeared to be fouled by Vitaliy Mykolenko, but play was waved on and a lengthy VAR check did not overturn the referee's decision.

The visitors barely troubled Arsenal keeper David Raya but will be pleased with their defensive effort, which earned them a share of the points.