Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Liverpool got their 2016-17 Premier League season underway with an emphatic 4-3 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Theo Walcott hit back from an early penalty miss to open the scoring before Philippe Coutinho notched two goals alongside strikes from Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane. Liverpool held a 4-1 lead before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers got on the hosts' scoresheet in the second half.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was coping with a crocked defence and opted for an English centre-back pairing of Chambers and Rob Holding, while Alexis Sanchez started up front in place of the unfit Olivier Giroud.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo described the reception received by Wenger:

The Gunners' makeshift defence came under early fire, but Liverpool's lack of an attacking press meant the hosts were granted a relief on several occasions.

In fact, it was Arsenal who came close to drawing first blood after Alberto Moreno clipped Walcott's ankles with a clumsy challenge in his own area. Match of the Day's Gary Lineker was critical of the Spaniard:

However, Walcott's spot-kick was at an ideal height for Simon Mignolet to save, and the Belgian goalkeeper nudged the attempt out with a firm right-handed parry.

The clean sheet lasted just 68 seconds longer, though. Moreno was once again at fault after being caught up the pitch, and Walcott lashed in the opener from the right.

Ex-England captain Rio Ferdinand highlighted the quick change in perception many fans had after they'd condemned the 27-year-old for his earlier miss:

Arsenal's injury-hit defence meant the home side were underdogs, but a 1-0 half-time lead would have given Wenger what he needed to reassess his strategy for the second half.

It wasn't to be, though, as Coutinho slotted a first-half injury-time equaliser into Petr Cech's top-left corner.

Match of the Day noted the 30-yard strike marked a milestone:

Arsenal's hopes of a result appeared to be evading their grasp after Liverpool bagged their second of the day through Lallana just three minutes after the restart.

The England international was supremely confident in chesting down a Georginio Wijnaldum pass before firing in the Reds' second, and Bet365 documented the Gunners' demise:

Coutinho slotted home his second just seven minutes later following a terrific sprint down the right flank by full-back Nathaniel Clyne.

Clyne's cross to Coutinho was inch-perfect, and the Brazilian made no mistake in side-footing the ball past Cech from close range, and the Guardian's Michael Cox commended his play:

Mane saved the best for last, though, driving down the right wing before cutting inside, winding his way through a sea of Arsenal defenders and pinging a shot inside Cech's left post.

As Sky Sports Statto attested, Liverpool looked to be rediscovering their creative edge in attack under Jurgen Klopp:

Liverpool fans were put on edge after Coutinho gingerly left the field with 20 minutes remaining. He was replaced by Emre Can after suffering what appeared to be either a cramp or an injury to his hamstring.

Arsenal ignited their efforts of a comeback only after going three goals down, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chambers netting two in the space of 11 minutes.

That was as good as it got for the Gunners, however, as a lack of preparation in the transfer window was pulled to the surface by a cutthroat Liverpool team, who were worthy of their win.

The seven-goal thriller entertained in north London, but from an Arsenal perspective, fans may well be asking once again why more efforts weren't made in recruitment.

Post-Match Reaction

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As if there wasn't enough pressure on Wenger's shoulders coming into the season, Sunday's result only worked to further intensify his need to dip into the transfer market over the next fortnight or so.

Speaking to Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves (via BBC Sport), the Arsenal chief insisted he's "always under pressure" before saying it was a poor second half that undid his side:

"

We played a very good first half and were unlucky to concede a goal just before half-time because the free-kick was very harsh.

After that, we paid for a lack of experience. I have said many times we are working very hard to get one or two players in. I don't know what you call desperate. [Any signings we make before the transfer window closes] need to make sense and be of quality.

"

Without naming names, the Gunners boss also highlighted a lack of experience as one of the major reasons for the loss, per This Is Anfield:

Klopp, on the other hand, painted a far more jovial picture after opening the season with a three-point haul, though he touched upon Arsenal's late fightback as an area of potential improvement.

"Nothing is sure until the final whistle," he said. "Over the whole of the 90 minutes, it was a deserved win.

"We can always score goals, and we can defend much better. It's the Premier League, and nothing should be easy in this league. Nothing is easy."