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Half-Time Report: Entertaining first half finishes goalless

Arsenal and Liverpool play out a goalless first 45 minutes in their Premier League clash at the Emirates.

An entertaining first 45 minutes at the Emirates has produced no goals, with Arsenal and Liverpool level at the interval of their Premier League meeting.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud is pursued by James Milner of Liverpool on August 24, 2015© Getty Images

Liverpool had a half-chance inside the opening two minutes when Emre Can found Christian Benteke inside the Arsenal box, but the Belgian forward could only drag his attempt wide of the post.

Benteke was again involved less than 30 seconds later as he set up Philippe Coutinho, who rattled one against the crossbar during what was a bright opening five minutes from Brendan Rodgers's side.

Arsenal's first sight of goal came in the fifth minute when Nacho Monreal delivered a cross onto the head of Alexis Sanchez, but the Chilean headed over the crossbar.

The hosts did have the ball in the back of the net in the eighth minute when Aaron Ramsey converted from inside the box, but the flag was raised despite replays showing that the Welshman might have been just level with the final defender.

Aaron Ramsey scores a goal for Arsenal that is disallowed for offside on August 24, 2015© Getty Images

A defensive mistake from Calum Chambers handed Liverpool another chance in the 14th minute, but neither Coutinho nor Roberto Firmino could release strikes under pressure from two Arsenal defenders.

Both teams appeared to settle defensively as the 20-minute mark passed with the score still goalless, but both teams will feel that they should have netted in the early stages.

James Milner, Liverpool's skipper for the night, was next to come close in the 25th minute after breaking into the Arsenal box, but Petr Cech managed to get down low and make the save.

Benteke and Coutinho remained a threat for the visitors as the half developed, while Arsenal were struggling to find their rhythm in the final third.

Benteke had an outstanding chance to send Liverpool ahead five minutes before the break following an excellent cross from Firmino, but Cech was on hand to make a quite stunning save, before the Czech denied Firmino from a tight angle.

Liverpool's dominance continued late in the half as Coutinho rattled the post with a rasping strike.

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Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal with Hector Bellerin on August 16, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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