Newcastle’s Joey Barton (2nd from left), is pulled away from Arsenal’s Gervinho (right) at St James’ Park, on Saturday

London: Arsenal made a controversial start to their Premier League campaign on Saturday as striker Gervinho was sent off on his debut in a scrappy 0-0 draw at Newcastle United.

The Ivory Coast striker had appeared to go down easily towards the end of the game, prompting Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton to grab his shirt and pull him up.

Gervinho then slapped Barton, who fell over theatrically and was lucky his involvement in the scuffle did not earn him more than a yellow card at St James’ Park.

Barton was a surprise inclusion in the Newcastle team after being transfer-listed earlier this week.

Arsenal dominated possession with their trademark passing game but without captain Cesc Fabregas and fellow midfielder Samir Nasri, who look poised for moves to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively, lacked a decent final ball.

Liverpool rued a missed penalty and a disallowed goal as they were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Sunderland while newcomers Queens Park Rangers were thrashed 4-0 at home by Bolton Wanderers.

Liverpool went ahead through Luis Suarez’s 12th-minute header but an earlier penalty miss by the Uruguayan and a disallowed Andy Carroll effort allowed Sunderland to stay in the game with winger Sebastian Larsson equalising in the 57th.

“We might have had a few more chances and were a wee bit unlucky in getting Andy Carroll’s goal knocked off, which would have put us 2-0 up,” Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said.

“But Sunderland made it difficult for us, they worked really hard and I think they deserved a point.”