Arsenal v Liverpool: Gabriel Paulista learns how it feels to mark Christian

Mertesacker was ill for the clash while Koscielny watched the 0-0 stalemate from the stands after picking up a back problem.

Arsene Wenger admitted that he considered taking off Calum Chambers at half-time, but said his improved performance in the second period will help restore some confidence.

A new look central defensive pairing of Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista were exposed more often than not by the Reds with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny both missing the game due to minor injuries.

With a five point gap to Manchester City after only from three games, Wenger has described Arsenal’s start to the season as “very average” but Ramsey believes that there has been some improvement since defeat on the opening day of the season against West Ham United.

“You’re always tempted”, he said at the prospect of withdrawing him from action, “but he responded well”. “How long will that sickness take?”

Chambers was signed last summer from Southampton and initially looked like a versatile and accomplished young player, with Wenger using him at right-back, centre-back and in midfield on occasion. But they have hardly played, never mind together, and that was painfully obvious at the Emirates last night, especially in that auto crash of a first half.

The Gunners have been linked with a clutch of holding players, but are yet to bring one into the football club.

“Our game is still not fluent enough in the final third, and that’s why we didn’t score. So many times you have seen even the bigger teams struggle in a couple of games and everyone is back into it”.