Arsenal's dogged display against title chasing Liverpool was encouraging but the gulf is still there to be seen... they've failed to score in four meetings with the Reds this season and there is still work to be done to end their Champions League absence

For an entire generation of Arsenal supporters wet Wednesday nights in early spring such as these were always about European football.

In its own way, so was this. Elite opponents, from the Champions League set. They were playing for Premier League points but one thing was uppermost in the minds of the home supporters.

Just as this fixture represented a glorious opportunity for Liverpool's title bid it was vital for Arsenal, too, as Mikel Arteta's young and improving team sought to measure themselves against Europe's elite.

There were signs of encouragement even if, ultimately, it would be eclipsed by confirmation of what they already knew.