Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after Kai Havertz’s first-half goal gave them a win at Anfield, their first Premier League victory there in 14 years.
Mikel Arteta was Arsenal captain the last time the Gunners won at Liverpool, a 2-0 victory in 2012. Since then, they had made 16 unsuccessful trips in all competitions before Sunday’s result.
The Spaniard’s side produced a defensive display to repel wave after wave of Liverpool attacks. Arsenal had lost to League Two side Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and Arteta said he believed that humbling defeat in Lancashire could spur his players 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.”
A big battle, as predicted
Before the match, centre-back Gabriel said Arsenal were expecting a “big battle” and “big chaos” against Liverpool. That prediction proved accurate. Arsenal went ahead, were then pinned back before the break, and had to defend resolutely after the interval. The second half was calmer, but Liverpool still failed to register a shot on target.
The Gunners have kept six clean sheets this season and now sit top of the table with 24 points from nine games. That is the most any team has collected after nine games of a Premier League season since Arsenal themselves in 2022-23. Only in the 2004-05 and 2007-08 seasons have Arsenal had more at this stage of a league campaign.
“It means a lot to our football club,” said Havertz, the match winner.
“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 and the Anfield effect
Declan Rice, who assisted Havertz’s goal, described the atmosphere and the pressure Arsenal faced.
“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.”
Rice has been one of Arsenal’s standout players this season and already has five league assists.
Title defence on track
Arsenal are two points better off after nine games than they were at the same stage last season, when they won the title. Their attack is yet to find full rhythm, having scored just 14 league goals in nine matches. Arteta has also had limited options in the forward line, with Bukayo Saka injured, 16-year-old Max Dowman suspended after his red card at Fleetwood, Christos Tzolis just back from a hamstring injury, and Viktor Gyokeres and Havertz both struggling for form.
The defence, however, remains elite. Arsenal’s back four conceded only 27 goals last season, and this performance suggests they could again be the difference.
“I’m extremely proud; this is something you want to accomplish,” Arteta said when asked what the win meant 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.”
Manchester City are second in the table, but their position is subject to the outcome of their appeal against charges for breaching Premier League financial rules. With several of the league’s big-name sides in a period of transition, Arsenal could build a healthy lead at the top if they maintain this form.