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.

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.

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.