Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Score and Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

Liverpool and Arsenal played out a thrilling goalless draw at the Emirates on Monday night.  

The match was a thoroughly entertaining end-to-end affair and on another day could have included plenty of goals from both sides, and Aaron Ramsey had one incorrectly disallowed for offside.

The Reds were much the better side in the early stages, while Arsenal improved significantly after half-time, but neither could find a way past each other's impressive goalkeeper.

Both sides began the match with key players missing. For Arsenal, the absences of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker meant Gabriel Paulista and Calum Chambers came in, while Liverpool were without captain Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana, so Emre Can and Lucas Leiva started in midfield.

The Reds dominated much of the first half and had a powerful Philippe Coutinho strike rebound off the woodwork just three minutes into the game.

The influential Brazilian rattled the frame minutes before the break as well, sending another well-struck effort toward the top right-hand corner. This time, Petr Cech made the decisive touch to tip the ball onto the bar.

Liverpool ran riot over Arsenal's new-look back line throughout the half, and Cech was called into action repeatedly to keep out Christian Benteke, including a tame effort the Belgian should have buried from six yards out.

The Telegraph's Liam was not impressed with the striker:

Arsenal had chances of their own, though, and found the net early on through Ramsey after the Welshman picked up Santi Cazorla's exquisite pass and fired home. But a questionable decision by the linesman denied the Gunners.

As Liam noted, the Reds have benefited significantly from controversial offside rulings this season:

The Mirror's Brian McNally summarised the proceedings at half-time, while ESPN FC highlighted Liverpool's shot count:

The vulnerable Gunners improved after the restart and steadily looked more threatening thanks to some half-chances for Olivier Giroud.

Giroud then turned provider for Alexis Sanchez, who struck the woodwork himself, finding the upright from a difficult angle.

Arsenal's shaky defence also picked up. Squawka highlighted their much-improved distribution in the second half after Gabriel and Chambers gave away possession on a number of occasions in the first:

The Gunners continued to enjoy the better of the chances as Liverpool were pinned back in their own half for large periods and tested Simon Mignolet on multiple occasions through Giroud and Ramsey, though Coutinho again forced an excellent save from Cech at the other end.

Arsenal in particular pushed for a goal right to the end but could not find the decisive touch after some typically expansive buildup play.

Squawka's stats demonstrated the incredibly attacking nature of the game:

Liverpool were fluid and menacing in their attack, so the Reds should have little problem in seeing off the struggling West Ham United in their next Premier League outing. 

However, if they can replicate their second-half performance at Newcastle United, they will likely earn three points, but Cech could be the key man if their defence struggles once again.

Post-Match Reaction

Per Mike Henson of BBC Sport, Arsene Wenger expressed his frustration at the refereeing decision that denied his side a goal but was pleased with Arsenal's second-half display:

"

We scored a regular goal that was disallowed; I don't believe I can do something about it. At the end of the day, the referee canceled out a regular goal. Like it or don't like it, it is a fact.

We had chances, but we couldn't finish them off. When you play at home and don't win, people always find problems. It is not the result or the complete performance, but we came back in the second half.

"

According to Sam Wallace of the Independent, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had an interesting take on Ramsey's goal:

Per Henson, Rodgers also praised his team on Sky Sports: 

"

I thought we were outstanding; we showed everything. You heard Petr Cech getting a round of applause for the saves he made.

Overall, we kept a good clean sheet but disappointed we didn't win. It is about keeping really well organised.

Both goalkeepers made good saves. A really good clean sheet against a top team.

"