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Nick Potts
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Arsenal v Liverpool, Premier League

Arsenal take on Liverpool in the pick of the opening Premier League fixtures.

Ready for game two of the afternoon? It promises to be a cracker. Team news coming up.

It is easy to forget that Arsenal finished second last season, and once again Arsene Wenger has resisted any temptation to perform major surgery on his team.  Former Bolton defender Rob Holding makes his debut, but big summer signing Granit Xhaka starts on the bench, while Alexis Sanchez starts in attack.

Liverpool on the other hand have a host of new players on show at the Emirates with Sadio Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum starting, as well as Estonian Ragnar Klavan who partners Dejan Lovren in defence. Joël Matip is only fit enough for the bench.

We’d love to hear your predictions or any opinions you have – get in touch on Twitter, Facebook or in the comments section below.

If you fancy a flutter here a couple stats that you may consider; no other Premier League fixture has had more hat-tricks or stoppage time goals than Arsenal against Liverpool.

Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

We’re underway.

4 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

It has been a bright start by the home team, high intensity to the game already. But no goalkeeper, as of yet, has been tested.

7 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool with plenty of pace on the counter look more than a happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.

8 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

Youngster Iwobi finds Sanchez who cuts the ball back to Ramsey, the Welsh man then toe-pokes the ball straight into the hands of Mignolet. Arsenal very much on top.

10 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

Plenty of former Southampton players are on show at the Emirates; Chambers, Walcott, Clyne, Lovren, Lallana plus Oxlade-Chamberlain who starts on the bench.

13 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

One of those former Saints, Nathaniel Clyne has a low, hard shot on the edge of the box, but it is easily gathered by Cech in the Arsenal goal.

15 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

Much-criticised Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno puts in a strong tackle on Ramsey in the Liverpool box, but luckily for the Spaniard he gets all of the ball.

Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League - Emirates Stadium Nigel French Nigel French

Roberto Firmino is leading the line for Liverpool, but has had a quiet afternoon, so far.

22 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

An audacious attempt from Aaron Ramsey, who is high on confidence after a wonderful Euro 2016. The Welsh international attempts to lob Mignolet, who is off his line, from the best part of 40 yards, but his shot sails high and wide.

26 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson picks up the first yellow card of the day for a high tackle on Ramsey.

29 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

PENALTY FOR ARSENAL! Moreno with a late tackle on Walcott.

30 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

MISSED! Mignolet dives to his right and pushes away Walcott’s penalty that was at a perfect height for the goalkeeper.

31 mins: Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

GOAL! Within a matter of seconds Walcott finds space on the right flank, Moreno nowhere to be seen and the England forward drills the ball past Mignolet. 68 seconds between the penalty miss and the goal.

37 mins: Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

Jürgen Klopp’s side have attempted to string a couple more passes since the goal, but in truth they are yet to settle into the game. No vocal point in attack, so don’t be surprised to see Origi come on in the second-half.

40 mins: Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool’s best chance of the opening half. A Chambers error leads his pass going straight to Mané, who finds Coutinho but the Brazilian opts to pass the ball back to Wijnaldum instead of shooting himself, not that Cech, who easily saves, was complaining.

42 mins: Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

Adam Lallana dribbles to the byline but attempts to back-heel the ball to a teammate, but it is easily dealt with by Arsenal.

47 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

GOAL! Liverpool equalise. Contender for not just free-kick, but goal of the season. Coutinho’s free-kick from about 30 yards is whipped over the Arsenal wall and into Petr Cech’s top-right corner.

HT: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

The sides are level at the break, but if it wasn’t for a moment of individual magic from Coutinho, the Gunners would have went into the break deservedly in the lead. They too may have complaints over the awarding of the free-kick with Coutinho going down rather easily under the original challenge.

HT: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Here is how Liverpool celebrated that goal. Incredible precision and technique from Coutinho.

Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League - Emirates Stadium Nigel French Nigel French

Interesting stat from our friends at Opta:

46 mins: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Second-half has started with no changes from either side.

49 mins: Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool

GOAL! Liverpool take the lead. Coutinho expertly finds Wijnaldum who dinks the ball across the box for Lallana to control the ball wonderfully on his chest. The Liverpool midfielder then has the composure to find the finish and coolly slots the ball under the onrushing Cech.

55 mins: Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool

GOAL! Superb from the away side who have been transformed. After terrific build-up play, right-back Clyne drives the ball across the Arsenal box for that man Coutinho, to skillfully side-foot the ball passed Cech,

58 mins: Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool

Nearly game over at the Emirates. Coutinho has a shot inside the Arsenal area that is only palmed away by Cech, but a last-ditch attempted tackle from Bellerín is enough to prevent Lallana from grabbing a fourth.

60 mins: Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool

SUB: Iwobi is replaced for Oxlade-Chamberlain.This is a totally Liverpool side that started this game. Their passing is quick and sharp, with plenty of options for the man on the ball. How long will it take for the already disgruntled Arsenal fans to take their frustration out on Arsene Wenger?

61 mins: Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool

SUB: A second change from the Gunners. Ramsey is off and Cazorla is on.

65 mins: Arsenal 2-4 Liverpool

GOAL! Have we spoken too soon? Arsenal reply straight away. Oxlade-Chamberlain cuts inside but his shot is deflected past Mignolet to give Arsenal renewed hope.

67 mins: Arsenal 2-4 Liverpool

SUB: Final change for Arsenal. Debut for Xhaka who replaces Elneny.

70 mins: Arsenal 2-4 Liverpool

SUB: Arsenal will be glad to see the back of Coutinho who hobbles off the pitch to be replaced by Can.

71 mins: Arsenal 2-4 Liverpool

Plenty of tension in the air….

Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League - Emirates Stadium Nigel French Nigel French

75 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool

GOAL! Arsenal right back into this game. A superbly floated free-kick from Cazorla finds the head of Chambers who just has to head the ball to guide it past Mignolet – horrible cross for the goalkeeper to defend.

76 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool

SUB: Second change for Liverpool. Origi comes on for Lallana, who was carrying a yellow card. Is Klopp going for a fifth?

81 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool

Just less than 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining in North London. Expect a grandstand finish.

83 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

Arsenal very much on top at the moment, but Liverpool get a breather by winning a free-kick in their own half.

85 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

CLOSE! Wijnaldum and Mané heavily involved in the build-up, with the ball falling to Firmino whose shot is deflected and hits the side netting.

87 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

SUB: Liverpool have a corner and have managed to work their way back into this match. They now make their final change with new boy Wijnaldum being replaced by Stewart.

90 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

Five minutes to be added on. Klopp is not impressed with the fourth official.

92 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

A long aimless ball from Arsenal goes harmlessly wide. Walcott went down in the box just moments earlier but no appeals from any of the players.

94 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

Liverpool have a corner after Henderson’s shot is deflected wide. They are trying to keep the ball in the corner.

95 mins: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

Origi is offside – one last chance for Arsenal.

FT: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

Liverpool start their campaign with a win, but more trouble lies ahead for Arsene Wenger.

FT: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool 

Not a bad way to start the season, was it? We will have post-match reaction and analysis throughout the night.

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