Arsenal moved clear at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Liverpool, their first league victory at Anfield in 14 years. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the first half.
Manager Mikel Arteta was Arsenal captain the last time the Gunners won at Anfield, a 2-0 victory in 2012. Since then they had made 16 unsuccessful trips to Liverpool in all competitions before Sunday’s result.
Arsenal produced a defensive display that has become typical of them, holding out wave after wave of Liverpool attacks to secure a rare and historic win.
Arteta praises response to Fleetwood defeat
Arsenal arrived at Anfield after a humbling Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Fleetwood Town on Tuesday. Arteta said that defeat in Lancashire could help spur his side on to a historic result at Liverpool.
“Extremely proud. It’s been 14 years, that’s a long time,” Arteta said after the game.
“I’m sure we made everybody attached to the club extremely proud today. Not only for the victory but for the way we’ve done it, the spirit we’ve shown.
“Especially considering what happened four days ago when you lose and go out of the cup against a team you are supposed to beat. That’s the magical part of this game, it can take you to really bad places but four days later you have the opportunity to do something really historic and we’ve done it.
“Overall, to win against a team that is producing what they are doing, and also in the emotional state after Fleetwood, that’s what a winning team should do.”
Before the match, centre-back Gabriel had said Arsenal expected a “big battle” and “big chaos” at Anfield. He was right. Arsenal were pinned back for much of the first half after taking the lead, but the second half was calmer. They defended resolutely and did not allow Liverpool a shot on target.
Arsenal’s strong start to the season
Arsenal have kept six clean sheets this season and now sit three points clear at the top of the table after nine games. Their 24 points are the most any team has collected after nine games of a season since Arsenal themselves in 2022-23. Only in the 2004-05 and 2007-08 seasons have they had more at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
Havertz, who scored the winner, said the result meant a lot to the club.
“It means a lot to our football club,” Havertz said after the win.
“It’s been 13 games [in the Premier League without a win here], its a crazy stat and it’s what the fans deserve. We are happy we gave them that.”
The win was also Arsenal’s first Premier League clean sheet at Anfield since their 2012 victory.
Rice delivers assist and praises team spirit
Declan Rice, who assisted Havertz’s goal, has been one of Arsenal’s standout players this season and already has five league assists. He described the atmosphere Liverpool create at home.
“That is the Anfield way, that is what this Liverpool team can do, this is what this stadium does to you,” Rice said. “It just creates waves and waves of attack.
“We’ve not won here in 14 years. It was relentless attacks but in the end that way we stuck together, that togetherness we have is undefeated. It’s nothing like I’ve ever seen before.”
Attack a concern as defence shines
Arsenal’s attack has yet to find its rhythm, and they have scored just 14 league goals in nine games. Arteta has had limited options up front. Bukayo Saka is injured, 16-year-old Max Dowman is suspended after his red card at Fleetwood, Christos Tzolis has just returned from a hamstring injury, and Viktor Gyokeres and Havertz have both struggled for form.
The defence, however, remains an elite unit. Arsenal conceded only 27 goals across the back four last season, and this performance suggests they could again be the difference for the Gunners.
Arteta said the win meant a great deal to him.
“I’m extremely proud; this is something you want to accomplish.” Arteta said after being asked what the win against Liverpool means to him.
“That’s the challenge and mission you want to accomplish. I love it when it’s something we have not done for many years.
“It was the same with Chelsea away and Manchester United away. To be able to beat all those, that’s the purpose and motivation and why we do what we do.”
Title race outlook
Manchester City are second in the table, but their position is uncertain while they await the outcome of their appeal against charges for breaching Premier League financial rules. With several of the league’s other big-name sides going through periods of transition, Arsenal could build a healthy lead at the top if they maintain this form.