LONDON — Liverpool's 100 percent start to the season ended with a hard-fought goalless draw against top-four rival Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium Monday. Arsenal was 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 was unable to breech a stingy Liverpool defense which has yet to concede in three matches this season. Liverpool sits third with seven points — two behind early pace-setters Manchester City — while Arsenal, touted as serious title contender before the season, has had an indifferent start and is ninth with four points. “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. Having been humbled 4-1 on its 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. Arsenal was 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 which carried the greatest threat against the host's disjointed defense. Cech was called into action to deny first Benteke, with a stunning reaction save, and Roberto Firmino in quick succession. 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 a the space for Alexis Sanchez to fire against the post. Liverpool was proving a tough nut to crack with Giroud, Ramsey and substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all denied by Simon Mignolet as the visitor's defense stood firm. Eibar goes top Basque minnow Eibar made the most of its reprieve from relegation last season to move top of La Liga after the first round of matches with a 3-1 win at Granada Monday. Eibar finished third bottom of the table on its debut campaign in La Liga last season, but was allowed to keep its place in the top flight when Elche was relegated for financial irregularities. — Agencies
