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| Arsenal first-choice centre-back pairing Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were both ruled out |
IT WAS not exactly the news that Arsenal fans wanted to hear an hour before kick off - their first choice centre back partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny was ruled out.
Mertesacker was ill, and Frenchman Koscielny had a back problem. So in were drafted Gabriel and Callum Chambers, for the first time in a competitive game, as Arsene Wenger's new centre back partnership.
The only time they had actually played together in the centre of defence was in the pre season Emirates Cup warm-up tournament, against Bundisliga side Wolfsburg. They kept a clean sheet on that occasion.
But this was Liverpool, and this was £32.5 million Christian Benteke, fresh from opening his Liverpool account with a slightly fortunate winning goal against Bournemouth in midweek.
And every Gunners fan remembers just how awkward first choice Arsenal centre back partnerships have found Belgian hit man Benteke in the past.
Two years ago on the opening day of the season Benteke scored twice as Villa won 3-1 at the Emirates, and Koscielny ended up getting sent off.
In the game at Villa Park that season Arsenal won 2-1, but it was Benteke who scored Villa's goal.
Last season was less successful, Benteke playing twice against the Gunners, and failing to score, including in that painful 4-0 FA Cup final hammering in May.
So the Belgian was probably licking his lips last night as kick off approached, with a score to settle, some reminders to be dished out. How would Arsenal's rookies fare?
Ironic that the big feature in last night's Arsenal programme was by Frank McLintock, legendary Double winning captain and one of the club's best ever centre backs.
The early signs were not good, as Benteke outfoxed Gabriel and pulled the ball back for Philippe Coutinho to hit the underside of the bar. Gulp.
Mind you, this was a partnership that had cost the Gunners a combined £27m in fees. So you could argue they should be half decent.
But then another heart stopping moment. A poor back header by Gabriel put Arsenal in trouble, and then Chambers disastrously gave the ball straight to Coutinho.
Only a great tackle by Francis Coquelin saved them. Phew. As Arsenal started to give the ball away, Gabriel made a fine block on James Milner.
Nerves though, were beginning to show - and spread. Another Benteke charge through the middle, again somehow stopped. Then Gabriel just about halted Coutinho. Fingernails were down to the quick.
A truly miraculous save from Petr Cech saved the Gunners when Bellerin erred and Benteke had the goal at his mercy, but by now it was panic stations.
Chambers was a bag of nerves - giving the ball away even going forward.But somehow, the terrible, tremulous twosome held on.
Benteke was increasingly starved of service, as Arsenal's midfield kept the ball much better than in the first half, and Chambers simply stuck to him.
Not exactly like glue - Gabriel was booked for getting a bit too close. No one is quite sure how it worked - but it did.
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