Full credit
to Liverpool for earning the point, though. They were a significant
attacking force early on, and resilient in the later stages as Wenger
introduced fresher, quicker legs in the form of Theo Walcott and Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain.
For
a team that many tipped to be plunged into the first crisis of the
season, seven points from nine, including visits to Stoke and Arsenal,
is a hugely positive start. Yes, Liverpool were clinging on by the end
but that was to be expected.
Having lost their first home game of the
season to West Ham, Arsenal were always going to throw the kitchen sink
at victory here. That they came so close to defeat was a worrying sign,
even with a makeshift defence. It was 1949 when Arsenal last lost their
first two home games of the league season. Wenger wasn’t even born
then.
Rodgers’
team announced its intention after just three minutes when a fine run
by Emre Can ended with a pass to Benteke and a shot just wide. A minute
later, Benteke found space on the right and his cross was lashed towards
goal by Philippe Coutinho – striking the underside of the bar and
somehow staying out with Cech beaten.
There
then came an all-too-brief spell in which Arsenal could have taken the
lead. Alexis Sanchez came close with a header from a Nacho Monreal cross
and then Martin Skrtel and James Milner got into a terrible tangle
trying to clear, before Sanchez poked the ball wide.
The next chance
should have been the opening goal, Ramsey played onside by at least one
Liverpool defender, and possibly two, when he sped through to slide the
ball past Simon Mignolet.
Linesman Simon Bennett raised his flag for
offside, an atrocious decision considering the benefit of doubt should
go to the attacking player. After events against Bournemouth last week,
it must be said Liverpool are also riding their luck right now.
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