Good evening one and all and welcome to The42‘s live coverage of the final game of the Premier League weekend, and what a cracker it is.
Arsenal and Liverpool have played out some classics down through the years and they meet at the Emirates Stadium this evening for an early-season battle.
The Gunners recovered from their opening game defeat to West Ham with a hard-earned win at Crystal Palace last time out while Liverpool have six points from six.
Kick-off is at 8pm.
Right, let’s get straight to it because the teams have been named and there’s big news from both camps.
Arsenal are without both first-choice centre-backs. Laurent Koscielny is ruled out with a back injury while Per Mertesacker is sidelined through illness so Gabriel and Calum Chambers start their first game of the season.
Liverpool make three changes - Emre Can, Lucas and Roberto Firmino are all come in in place of Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Jordon Ibe.
So this is how the hosts will line-up:
And the Liverpool XI:
Thierry Henry joins Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville in the MNF studio and the former Arsenal striker admits the loss of Koscienly and Mertesacker is a huge blow for the hosts.
“It’s massive,” Henry said on Sky Sports. “In a game this big you want both your first-choice centre-halves to be fit, so it’s a big blow. It’s a massive game for Calum Chambers, especially in this position, and we’re still waiting to find out what Gabriel can do. It’s a tough ask against Christian Benteke.”
It will be Emre Can and Lucas occupying the holding positions for Liverpool with Milner given the licence to venture further forward in a trio alongside Firmino and Coutinho.
Benteke will once again lead the line.
It’s a rather bleak evening in North London.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arsene Wenger said he’s confident Chambers and Gabriel will slot into the heart of the defence seamlessly tonight. However, the pair have only played with each other once – in the Emirates Cup against Wolfsburg.
“I believe Calum Chambers and Gabriel have the quality. Perhaps not the same experience as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny but I think they’ll do well. We have top-quality defenders and you know at some stage they’ll get the opportunity to play. It’s maybe earlier than they expected but it’s an opportunity for them.”
It’s a big evening for Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian starts for the first time in the Premier League after his £29 million move from Hoffenheim.
His manager, Brendan Rodgers, believes he will thrive on the big stage.
“Roberto Firmino has experience,” the Liverpool boss told Sky Sports. “He’s played in Europe and he’s a full international – he’s looked sharper and brighter every day in training and it’s the perfect stage for him tonight. Lucas is the best defensive midfield player at the club so it’s a good game for him to come in for. The last 10 teams that have come to the Emirates have all tried to dominate the space and not the ball.”
Can Liverpool make it three from three and right the wrongs from their 4-1 defeat at the Emirates last season? Or will Arsenal record their first home win of the campaign?
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Poll Results:
Both teams have returned to the dressing room and we’re very nearly set for kick-off. Here’s a reminder of how the sides will line-up:
And we’re off! Arsenal get us underway, attacking from left to right as we look.
Bright start from Liverpool as Emre Can runs at the Arsenal defence before squaring for Benteke. The Belgian shifts it quickly onto his left but his snap shot lacks power and precision and trickles wide.
Off the bar! Arsenal are all over the place at the back. Benteke latches onto a ball from Milner down the right and cuts it back for the on-rushing Coutinho who crashes his shot off the underside of the bar.
First time Arsenal have been in the Liverpool half as Ozil looks to float one in towards Giroud but it’s dealt with by Skrtel.
Chance! Arsenal’s turn to have a sight on game as Sanchez meets Monreal’s cross from the left but is unable to keep his header down.
Panic in the Liverpool box as Skrtel and Milner fail to deal with the danger and eventually Sanchez looked to poke it goalwards but Mignolet made the save.
That was far from convincing from Skrtel after Ozil had played a lovely one-two with Cazorla on the edge of the box.
Ramsey has the ball in the net but the flag on this near side goes up. Cazorla threads a ball through and the Welshman finishes emphatically but he’s adjudged to be marginally offside.
On second look, it’s extremely close and the Gunners might consider themselves slightly unfortunate there.
After a slow start, Arsenal have clicked into gear with Sanchez, Ozil, Cazorla and Ramsey all finding pockets of space.
Liverpool get numbers behind the ball and eventually crowd Sanchez out as he looks to cut inside onto his right foot. It’s relentless from the hosts at the moment, however, as they come sweeping forward with pace and purpose. On this occasion, Ozil can’t quite keep Ramsey’s ball in play.
Arsenal nearly shoot themselves in the foot as Chambers gives the ball straight to Coutinho and they just about get away with it. Neither defence looking particularly solid.
Brilliant tackle from Coquelin there to get back and nick the ball off Coutinho just as he was about to pull the trigger. He just about got it right, otherwise it was a penalty and perhaps more.
Very open game so far but it remains scoreless at the Emirates.
It’s just settled down in the last few minutes after a frenetic start. A perfectly weighted ball out of defence from Milner very nearly sets Firmino through on goal but Bellerin is across to cover.
The rain continues to hammer down in North London. Both sides have just settled into the contest now as Giroud and Lovren grapple under the high ball. The Liverpool defender gets the decision on this occasion.
Benteke shows his pace and power again after Milner nicked possession in midfield but Coquelin is there again with a last-ditch tackle right on the edge of the area. It got the benefit of the doubt there but the midfielder came in from behind and could have been penalised.
Milner makes the run from midfield and after his initial effort is blocked, has another bite at the cherry but Cech is equal to the task and tips his effort around the post.
Liverpool are enjoying a good passage of play and the black shirts come flowing forward again. It’s played out to Clyne and he wins a corner after his shot his blocked.
The visitors play it short and when it eventually comes into the box, Cech comes off his line to ease the pressure on his defence.
Arsenal continue to give the ball away in their own half and you get the feeling they’ll be punished sooner rather than later if they keep gifting possession to Liverpool. The home fans are just growing increasingly frustrated.
Another powerful run from Benteke but the move breaks down as he tried to offload the ball to Coutinho. The Belgian striker has been impressive in the opening half an hour and is causing the Arsenal defence all sorts of problems.
Coutinho races through after Can’s flick-on and he’s onside but Gabriel shows great pace to get back and avert the danger. Liverpool are looking increasingly dangerous.
Sums it up.
What a chance! Benteke has to score from three yards but Cech saves his side. Coutinho’s low cross find its way across to the unmarked striker but he’s unable to beat the goalkeeper from close range.
Liverpool are applying all sorts of pressure. From the resulting corner, Cech is forced to save with his feet and Wenger looks concerned on the touchline.
Benteke is winning everything in the air and he’s causing Arsenal’s makeshift defence no end of problems.
Arsenal’s turn to ask questions of the opposition defence but Liverpool have men behind the ball and there’s nowhere for the Gunners to go.
Off the post! Coutinho smashes the upright again as he unleashed a fierce drive from the left but Cech gets the slightest of touches to deflect it onto the post. Arsenal are all over the place and very fortunate not to be behind.
And that’s half-time! Somehow it’s 0-0 at the break but Liverpool should really be at least a goal, if not two, ahead.
How on earth is it still scoreless? Liverpool have been superb throughout and but for Petr Cech, would be ahead at this juncture. That said, Arsenal had a goal ruled out at the other end when it looked like Ramsey was just onside.
Petr Cech has pulled off two remarkable saves to deny Benteke and then Coutinho.
All set again. Here we go as Liverpool restart.
Arsenal can’t really be any worse but they’ve started in the same fashion as Ramsey gives the ball away cheaply. No changes on either side.
Home crowd trying to rally their side at the start of this second-half.
Liverpool continue to boss the contest but Arsenal are just beginning to get a foot on the ball.
Much better from Arsenal as they work it out right to Sanchez via Bellerin and when the cross comes in, Giroud’s effort is deflected behind. The corner comes to nothing but that got the crowd on their feet.
Giroud knocks it down for Sanchez on the edge of the box but he’s crowded out by black shirts and the move breaks down. Arsenal are pressing Liverpool a lot higher, however, and not giving Benteke the sort of space he enjoyed in the first-half.
It’s been a fiercely contested 60 minutes at the Emirates Stadium but we’re still level pegging.
Chance! Lovely move from Arsenal as Cazorla feeds Giroud and he lays it off for Sanchez but with only the goalkeeper to beat, the Chilean international skews his shot off the outside of his left boot and off the post.
First change as Jordan Ibe is introduced and Firmino is the man to make way.
Once again Skrtel fails to deal with the loose ball and he needs Lovren to come across and cover. Arsenal now camped inside the Liverpool half and are pressing for the breakthrough.
Giroud can’t quite stretch to get on the end of another low cross while Gabriel picks up a booking for hauling down Benteke on the halfway line.
Arsenal pierce through the Liverpool defence again but Monreal’s cutback doesn’t find a red shirt and the visitors survive.
Save! Giroud is denied by Mignolet when it looked like he had to score. The Frenchman swivelled in the box and as he went to swing his left foot at it, appeared to loose his footing and he didn’t get the purchase on the shot.
At the other end, Liverpool break with pace and Milner tests the handling of Cech with a stinging drive.
The Liverpool ‘keeper is called into action again as Ramsey looks to curl one into the far corner from just outside the area. Mignolet was equal to it though as he plucked it out of the air.
Giroud makes way for Theo Walcott as we approach the final quarter of an hour. Is there a winner in this one?
Rodgers makes his second change as Lucas trudges off for young Jordan Rossiter. Could that be the Brazilian’s final appearance for the Reds? He waves to the Liverpool fans as he leaves the field.
Joe Gomez goes into the book for tugging Ramsey back and that’s now three yellow card from three games for the Liverpool teenager.
Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain prepares himself on the touchline.
Coutinho forces Cech into action again as he shoots from a tight angle but it was a comfortable height for the goalkeeper to parry. We’re into the final ten minutes and Coquelin makes way for Oxlade-Chamberlain. Wenger going for it?
‘Come on Arsenal’ rings around the Emirates and the home side very nearly hit the front. Ramsey’s low drive is deflected off Lovren’s leg and with Mignolet going the other way, he’s forced to change direction and does brilliantly to get down to get a strong hand to it.
Goal-saving intervention from Skrtel as he very nearly diverts the ball into his own net but he know Walcott was waiting to pounce behind him. From the corner, the ball falls to Oxlade-Chamberlain as he tugs his shot narrowly wide. Breathless stuff.
Five minutes plus stoppage time at the Emirates and it’s Arsenal who are doing all the pressing.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has made a big difference already and you have to wonder why he was sitting on the bench until the 82nd minute. Meanwhile, Alberto Moreno comes on for the impressive Coutinho as Liverpool look to shut up shop.
Four minutes of additional time.
Time is ticking as the clock goes red and it looks like both sides will have to settle for a point.
Moreno charges forward and he’s got players to his right but can’t take full advantage and Arsenal clear. The full-back saw his name up in lights there but made the wrong decision with Benteke waiting in the middle.
Save! Oxlade-Chamberlain very nearly wins it at the death with a low drive but again Mignolet is equal to it. From the corner, Gabriel rises highest but can’t keep his header down.
And that’s full-time!
A hugely entertaining game and despite 34 shots between the sides, it somehow finishes goalless. Thanks for sticking with us throughout the evening and there will be plenty of reaction on the site shortly.
