Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal: Gunners off to a Decent Start

Arsenal's new season got underway yesterday with a 1-1 draw that I think most fans would have been satisfied with before the game. However the manner in which the result came about will probably leave some thinking the Gunners might have come away with all three points, and justifiably so.

Arsenal started the match by far the sharper of the two teams I thought, the first twenty five minutes or so especially there only seemed to be one team at the races. It was an encouraging sign for an Arsenal side that consistently struggled to get into their stride in the early stages of big games last season. However they were unable to make the pressure tell with Vermaelen's superbly hit shot from a free kick being as close as they came.

As the first half got into its latter stages Liverpool came into the game more and more and might have had a goal themselves from a corner, but Gael Clichy was on hand to demonstrate the wisdom of manning the posts at such a set play as he cleared off the line.

Then just before half time came the first major talking point of the game. Joe Cole, clearly looking to impress on his league debut for Liverpool launched himself recklessly at Laurent Koscielny by the touchline, missed the ball and caught Koscielny dangerously. Cole was fortunate not to do serious damage to Koscielny, and the red card was fully warranted.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard criticised Koscielny in his interview for Match Of The Day, implying that he overreacted to the challenge to get Cole sent off. Arsene Wenger dismissed this though, pointing out that Koscielny was sufficiently hurt that he was nearly taken off despite Arsenal not having another recognised centre-half to put on in his place. In any case, quite what room Steven "starfish dive" Gerrard thinks he has to talk about dishonest conduct on a football field, I'm not sure.

So half time and Arsenal could be very pleased with the game up to that point. Most fans would have fancied the team to go on and cause Liverpool real problems. But it was Liverpool who caused Arsenal the problem just after half time. Arsenal were caught in possession on the edge of their own penalty area, and David N'gog was played in at a tight angle and he produced an excellent finish to beat Almunia at the near post.

As good a finish as it was, there is simply no way Almunia should have been beaten at his near post. The replays only serve to illustrate that he should have done better. At a top class club like Arsenal, goalkeeping of that standard is simply not acceptable.

1-0 down then, and Arsenal looked stunned as ten man Liverpool took the game to them. For the next twenty minutes Arsenal struggled to find any kind of foothold in the game, Liverpool coping easily with Arsenal's repeated attempts to pass the ball through the middle of their defence.

Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky both came on and had good chances. Walcott displayed a previously unseen talent for free kick taking, and Reina had to produce a good save to deny him. Rosicky managed an excellent dribble through the Liverpool defence only to be denied by a superb save from Reina.

With time ticking down it looked like an opening day defeat for Arsenal, but then almost out of nowhere an equaliser arrived in shambolic circumstances. Chamakh beat Reina to a cross into the area but couldn't get the ball into the goal, but fortunately Reina was on hand to somehow throw the ball into his own net.

Of course Arsenal fans will not have forgotten Reina's role in the infamous episode with Cesc Fabregas and the Barcelona shirt during Spain's World Cup celebrations, so sympathy will be in short supply for Liverpool's goalkeeper and rightly so. What goes around comes around.

Despite Arsenal's equaliser arriving almost on the stroke of ninety minutes, the drama wasn't over. Liverpool to their credit responded well and pushed to restore their lead, with Starfish Gerrard forcing a good save from Almunia from a free kick.

Laurent Koscielny, having survived Joe Cole's terrible challenge then managed to get sent off himself for two bookings in quick succession. The first being fully justified for connecting his studs with the wrong sort of ball as Dirk Kuyt tried to get past him, but the second was harsh, given for handball when he had little chance of avoiding the ball.

It was especially harsh because a much more blatant handball by N'gog had been unpunished by the referee earlier in the game.

Soon after that the referee blew for full time, bringing an eventful opening day to a close for Arsenal. The game left plenty to chew on for Arsenal and their fans, and I think the majority of it is positive.

Arsenal rose very well to the challenge of going to Anfield for a very difficult game without several key players. The goal they conceded aside I thought the defending was of a better calibre than we saw for the majority of last season. Going forward, the team looked impressive in the first half particularly. In general I think it bodes well for Arsenal in the big games this season.

However, there's no getting away from the goalkeeping issue. Once again Arsenal conceded to a goal that Almunia should have prevented. He is the best option Arsenal have at the moment but he simply is not good enough.

A new signing is essential in this position. I hate it when Sky's pundits are right but they were yesterday when they said teams do not win the title without a good goalkeeper. Rumblings continue about Mark Schwarzer and Shay Given, but that's all they are for the moment.

Arsene Wenger spoke before yesterday's game about Wojciech Szczesny's quality but lack of experience. Perhaps its time to address that. Arsenal play Blackpool at home next week. I mean absolutely no disrespect to Blackpool when I say thing because I think what they've accomplished is fantastic, but I think Arsenal can be confident of a comfortable win in that game. Perhaps Szczesny should be starting in it, after all he will only get Premier League experience by playing Premier League games. 

It sounds a lot like I've changed my tune regarding Szczesny and maybe I have a little. The point has been quite effectively driven home that something has to change in the Arsenal goal. If Szczesny is not going out on loan this season then I think giving him a chance in a few home games could be in Arsenal's interest.

So, we're up and running with this new season. It wasn't the perfect start by any means, but Arsenal make a good enough start to the new season. The focus shifts to Blackpool next weekend when fingers crossed, wemight have a new signing or two by.

That's your lot for today, more tomorrow.