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EPL PHOTOS: Splendid Cech denies impressive Liverpool at the Emirates

August 25, 2015 10:03 IST

Cech's solid 'keeping and Liverpool's staunch defence ensured the match ended in a goalless stalemate

Arsenal's Petr Cech and Calum Chambers thwart Liverpool's Christian Benteke's effort during their English Premier League match on Monday

Arsenal's Petr Cech and Calum Chambers thwart Liverpool's Christian Benteke's effort during their English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Monday. Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

Liverpool's 100 percent start to the season ended with a hard-fought goalless draw against top-four rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

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.

Arsenal improved, and enjoyed the better of proceedings in the second half but were unable to breech a stingy Liverpool defence which has yet to concede in three matches this season.

"When you start your first game with a new club and everything goes wrong for you individually you need to go back to work and bounce back and this is what I tried to do," Cech told Sky Sports.

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho takes a shot at goal under pressure from Arsenal's Hector Bellerin

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho takes a shot at goal under pressure from Arsenal's Hector Bellerin. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

"I was in the right place at the right time and I helped the team overcome difficult moments in the first half. It's hard to believe after all the chances it finished 0-0"

Liverpool sit third with seven points -- two behind early pace-setters Manchester City -- while Arsenal, touted as serious title contenders before the season, have had an indifferent start and are ninth with four points.

Having been humbled 4-1 on their last visit to the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool made an early statement on a wet night in north London with Philippe Coutinho rattling the crossbar in the third minute.

That early scare brought Arsenal to life and only the narrowest of offside decisions denied Aaron Ramsey an opening goal five minuets later.

Liverpool's Christian Benteke is challenged by Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista

Liverpool's Christian Benteke is challenged by Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Arsenal were without experienced defenders Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny and their replacements Gabriel Paulista and Calum Chambers looked nervous against the physical Christian Benteke and skilful Coutinho.

Arsenal commanded the majority of possession but it was Liverpool who carried the greatest threat against the hosts' disjointed defence.

Cech was called into action to deny first Benteke, with a stunning reaction save, and Roberto Firmino in quick succession.

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez is closed down by Liverpool's Martin Skrtel

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez is closed down by Liverpool's Martin Skrtel. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Cech had to be at his brilliant best again to tip Coutinho's goal-bound shot onto the woodwork as Arsenal desperately held on before halftime.

The Gunners came out with far more conviction after the break and Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud combined to create space for Alexis Sanchez to fire against the post.

Liverpool were proving a tough nut to crack with Giroud, Ramsey and substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all denied by Simon Mignolet as the visitor's defence stood firm.

Source: REUTERS
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