CARDIFF, Wales (AP) Making his debut for Arsenal, Gilberto Silva scored the winning goal as the Gunners defeated Liverpool 1-0 Sunday in the traditional Premier League curtain-raiser.

Silva, a member of Brazil's World Cup championship team, scored in the 69th minute after Arsenal had wasted several chances at Millennium Stadium.

Running down the left side, Dennis Bergkamp backpassed to Silva, who was left alone in front of the goal. Silva drove the ball 10 yards past Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek. Silva, who came in as a substitute at halftime, celebrated with a dance before being mobbed by his teammates.

"It was a competitive game, but our experience got us through," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

The preseason game usually pairs the league champion with the winner of the FA Cup. Since Arsenal won both titles last season, it played runner-up Liverpool. Arsenal also was trying to atone for its 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool in 2001.

"We gave them too much respect," Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said. "It took us half an hour just to get into the game. We started to get into it more after that, but on the whole Arsenal deserved their win."

Diouf and Owen had Liverpool's best chances, while Steven Gerrard, who missed the World Cup with an injury, was strong in the midfield. But Liverpool was too often turned back by the Arsenal defense, led by Martin Keown and Sol Campbell.

The Premier League season begins next Saturday.

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