David Seaman
After his misjudgement against Brazil, Seaman looked back to his best - assured both on the ground and in the air.

Lauren
Contained John Arne Riise easily enough but could and should have done more to support Ray Parlour in attacking positions.

Sol Campbell
The England international looked assured defensively and caused Liverpool problems at set pieces with his height and strength.

Martin Keown
Together with Sol Campbell, man-of-the match Keown proved a solid bulwark that Michael Owen and Emile Heskey were unable to pierce.

Ashley Cole
Gave Arsenal an important outlet on the left, both with his passing and dribbling, and looked assured.

Ray Parlour
Proved a willing runner and struck one good shot, but Djimi Traore ensured Parlour's supply of crosses was kept to a minimum.

Patrick Vieira
Dominated midfield despite Steven Gerrard's combative threat, Vieira's intelligent tackling repeatedly broke up Liverpool's play.

Edu
Struggled after suffering a gash to his leg midway through the first half and did not reappear after the interval.

Sylvain Wiltord
Overshadowed by Ashley Cole on the left, Wiltord never really got going, though he did trouble Jerzy Dudek with a shot early in the second half.

Dennis Bergkamp
A typical Bergkamp performance. Rarely gave away the ball and the source of many of Arsenal's best attacks.

Thierry Henry
After a miserable World Cup Henry was back to best in a more central role, though Dudek ensured the Frenchman failed to find the net.

Substitutes:

Gilberto Silva
(Replaced Edu on 45 minutes) The Brazilian World Cup winner gave a cameo performance in the benefits of keeping it simple and capped it with a goal.

Kolo Toure (Replaced Bergkamp on 85 minutes).

Liverpool

Jerzy Dudek
Produced a hat-trick of saves in the 20th minute to deny Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp twice. Kept Liverpool in the game.

Abel Xavier
Did well to deny Bergkamp in the 16th minute but failed to provide much of an attacking outlet and was substituted.

Sami Hyypia
Together with his defensive partner Stephane Henchoz struggled to contain the Henry and Bergkamp partnership.

Stephane Henchoz
The Swiss defender was frequently exposed by Henry's pace and was saved by the oustanding Dudek on several occasions.

Djimi Traore
After his year-long loan at Lens, Traore looked a more assured player and comfortably contained Ray Parlour in midfield.

Steven Gerrard
Booked early on and was lucky to stay on the pitch after his challenge on Henry. Looked very combative after his groin operation.

Dietmar Hamann
As against Bayer Leverkusen last season, once Hamann was substituted Liverpool looked frailer in his absence.

John Arne Riise
Pushed into midfield to accommodate Traore, Riise had a steady if unspectacular game. Failed to cause a threat with his normally deadly left foot.

El Hadji Diouf
Played on the right of midfield, Diouf worked tirelessly and became more threatening as the game went on. Dived acrobatically to earn a penalty, which was not awarded.

Emile Heskey
The England international looked sluggish and as so often before was let down by his first touch. Struck one good shot which forced a save from Seaman.

Michael Owen
A quiet game, summed up by his mis-kick in the 52nd minute and never really got the better of Keown. Felt he should have been awarded a penalty.

Substitutes:

Danny Murphy
(Replaced Hamann on 66 minutes) Never succeeded in replicating the defensive shield that Hamann gave Liverpool.

Milan Baros
(Replaced Heskey on 73 minutes) Despite some impressive pre-season performances, Baros never really got into the game.

Markus Babbel
(Replaced Xavier on 77 minutes) Given a warm reception as he marked his return to English football after recovering from Guillan-Barre syndrome.

Vladimir Smicer (Replaced Owen on 84 minutes).

Bruno Cheyrou (Replaced Traore on 87 minutes).