In the early kick-off yesterday Stoke and Arsenal drew 0-0 at the Britannia Stadium. The game was a bit of a damp squib.

Arsenal started with new attackers Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, but neither had much of an impact on the game.

Arsenal’s outstanding player was again new Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla.

The Gunners had the majority of possession, but couldn’t breakdown a really well organised Stoke City side. A plus for the Gunners was a second consecutive clean sheet, a problem for Arsene Wenger’s side last season.

Elsewhere, Liverpool and Manchester City drew 2-2 at Anfield in an enthralling encounter. The home side took the lead late in the first half through a Martin Skrtel header. Manchester City equalised in the 63rd minute midfielder Yaya Toure, scoring from close-range from Carlos Tevez’s cross, after poor handling from Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

Just three minutes later the home side regained the lead. Liverpool were awarded a free-kick, as Jack Rodwell was adjudged to have handled the ball just outside the penalty area. City were furious at the decision from referee Andre Marriner.

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez struck a superb effort past Joe Hart from the resulting free-kick. It was the striker’s first goal of the season, after missing excellent chances against West Brom last weekend. Liverpool gifted the visitors an equaliser in the 80th minute.

Martin Skrtel attempted to play a ball blindly back to Pepe Reina, only for Carlos Tevez to nip in, round Reina and score his 100th goal in English football. Both sides went for the winning goal and didn’t settle for the draw. However, both had to settle for a share of the points in an exciting encounter.

Can Manchester City start keeping clean sheets?