Offside, Arsenal. Santiago Cazorla tries a through ball, but Aaron Ramsey is caught offside.
English Premier League: Petr Cech saves a quick strike from James Milner just in time (25'). Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
English Premier League: Petr Cech comes through again for Arsenal, getting just a fingertip on what would have been Liverpool's first goal. Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
English Premier League: Alexis Sánchez hits the post, narrowly missing out on scoring Arsenal's first goal of the game (60') Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool.
English Premier League: last ditch attempt by Olivier Giroud blocked at the last minute by Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet (68')
LONDON -- Three thoughts on Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.
1. A most unlikely result
Given the unconvincing defences, dangerous attackers, two attack-minded managers and a slippery pitch after hours of heavy rain, the one result you didn't expect was 0-0.
It wasn't one of those goalless draws where nothing happened, where 0-0 seemed inevitable from an early stage; rather, it was one of those 0-0s where everything happened expect a goal. In a sport that thrives on tension and intrigue rather than constant point-scoring, this is arguably the best type of match.
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In many ways, the game was something of a role reversal for Arsenal. In recent years, their supporters have been constantly frustrated by the Gunners dominating for long periods, creating multiple chances and yet simply not finding a way past the opposition.
Here, it was Liverpool who were on top for long periods, hitting the woodwork twice through Philippe Coutinho and forcing Petr Cech into some fine saves. Maybe that's the difference -- Arsenal now have a goalkeeper capable of keeping them in the game.
Arsenal also had chances. They should have been ahead inside the opening 10 minutes when Aaron Ramsey wrongly had a goal disallowed for offside -- Liverpool have got somewhat fortunate with refereeing decisions so far this season given their winner vs. Bournemouth should not have stood -- then Alexis Sanchez hammered a shot against the near post midway through the second half.
However, this wasn't Arsenal at their best: Giroud was subdued and substituted, while Sanchez was still not at full sharpness and Ozil had one of this games where the word "ghost" is used disparagingly rather than positively.
In the end, though, while Liverpool were the side who might feel they should have won, they were happier with the point as was evident by some suspicious time-wasting towards the end. Seven points from their opening three matches is a fine return and a draw away at Arsenal is never a bad result.
For the Gunners, being five points off the top already is hugely frustrating. Last year's title challenge was over quickly because of an extremely poor start and they must produce a run of victories to prevent a feeling of deja vu.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey saw a goal disallowed early in the first half.
2. Arsenal's makeshift defence stays intact ... just
The game's key battle was evident once the teamsheets were unveiled and it became obvious Arsenal were severely weakened in the centre of defence.
Laurent Koscielny was unavailable because of a back injury, while Per Mertesacker was ruled out through illness. More important than the absence of either individual was the loss of their partnership -- the duo have developed a fine relationship and suit one another's game perfectly.
In their place were Calum Chambers and Gabriel. Chambers hadn't started a game for Arsenal since mid-March, and while his long-term future is probably at centre-back, he's played the majority of his Premier League matches for Southampton and Arsenal on the right.
Gabriel, meanwhile, had played a few matches towards the end of last season but remains extremely raw, somewhat impetuous and is still learning the English game. Their task for tonight? To contain Christian Benteke.
To be frank, they weren't capable, especially weren't helped by full-backs Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal pushing forward into extremely advanced positions, leaving space in the channels. Consequently, Benteke worked the left zone between Gabriel and Monreal very nicely, creating a good early chance which Coutinho thumped against the bar.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side, Coutinho, James Milner and Roberto Firmino all raced into the channel at various points to create dangerous moments, with Firmino's cross to Benteke forcing a world-class save from Petr Cech.
Clearly, it's difficult to lose both centre-backs on the eve of a match, but it was worrying how Arsenal's deputies looked so nervous from the outset. Chambers needlessly playing the ball straight to Coutinho on the edge of the opposition box was a good example of their struggles.
Still, both are perfectly good defenders -- still young and developing -- and the reality is that Arsenal should have protected them better. Francis Coquelin made some typically dramatic interventions on the edge of his own box, but the two full-backs could have sat deeper, minimised the space on the outside and made sure the centre-backs had less responsibility.
Given all that, Arsenal were extremely fortunate to preserve their clean sheet.
Arsenal were indebted to a string of fine saves from Petr Cech, including this one that denied Christian Benteke.
3. Liverpool attack shows promise
This was the first time Benteke has looked truly comfortable in a Liverpool shirt and he spearheaded an impressive attacking unit which created a succession of presentable chances.
In Benteke's previous two Liverpool games he looked unsure how to play: Come deep, run the channels or stay in the box and await service? Here, the answer was obvious, and with Liverpool playing quick counter-attacking football, he prowled the width of the pitch and encouraged through-balls.
It underlined the fact that Benteke at his best is far more than simply a target man who thrives on crosses -- he can be an all-round No. 9.
More than before, though, Liverpool supported him keenly. Neither Adam Lallana or Jordan Ibe, his underwhelming support in the previous two games, started here. Instead, Coutinho was given license to drift inside from the left, probably his best role, while Firmino was dangerous on his full debut, picking up the ball in clever positions and making darting runs across the pitch.
Both looked to get beyond Benteke, whereas Lallana had floated around him and Ibe had stayed out wide. Even Milner, in a deeper midfield role, made an excellent run in behind the Arsenal defence towards the end of the first half.
Milner looked more comfortable without the presence of Jordan Henderson, a similar midfielder, in the Liverpool side, while the introduction of Lucas Leiva meant Milner was able to play a box-to-box role without compromising Liverpool's defensive shape.
Football is a funny game -- this was Liverpool's best performance of the season so far, and yet was the one game they haven't won. But manager Brendan Rodgers will see the positives and this 4-3-3 formation, with Benteke supported by Coutinho and Firmino is surely the way to go, at least until the return of Daniel Sturridge.
Michael Cox is the editor of Zonal Marking and a contributor to ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @Zonal_Marking.