Liverpool’s 100 per cent start to the season ended with a hard-fought goalless draw against top-four rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last night.
Arsenal were indebted to goalkeeper Petr Cech – at fault for West Ham United’s goals in a 2-0 opening-weekend defeat – in the first half after he produced a string of stunning saves to keep an impressive Liverpool at bay.
The Czech Republic international showed how crucial he can be as midway through the first half he kept out Christian Benteke’s close range shot after good work from Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, with the former Chelsea stopper also getting down low to push away Firmino’s drive moments later.
Arsenal improved and enjoyed the better of proceedings in the second half.
Their best chance came following a free-flowing move as Santi Cazorla fed Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean forward hitting the outside of the post.
But the host were unable to breech a stingy Liverpool defence which has yet to concede in three matches this season.
Liverpool sit third with seven points – two behind early pace-setters Manchester City – while Arsenal, touted as serious title contenders, have had an indifferent start and sit ninth with four points.
P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
Man. City | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 9 |
Leicester | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
Liverpool | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
Man. United | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
C. Palace | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
Swansea | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Everton | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Norwich City | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Arsenal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Chelsea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
West Ham | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Watford | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Bournemouth | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Aston Villa | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Stoke City | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Tottenham | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Newcastle | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Southampton | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
Sunderland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
West Brom | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
Next fixtures
Saturday: 13.45 Newcastle vs Arsenal. 16.00 Aston Villa vs Sunderland; Bournemouth vs Leicester; Chelsea vs Crystal Palace; Liverpool vs West Ham; Manchester City vs Watford; Stoke City vs West Bromwich. 18.30 Tottenham vs Everton.
Sunday: 14.30 Southampton vs Norwich. 17.00 Swansea vs Manchester United.