Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League table after ending their 14-year wait for an away victory over Liverpool, with Kai Havertz’s first-half strike securing a hard-fought 1-0 win.
The Gunners were made to withstand sustained pressure after Havertz opened the scoring in the 16th minute but held on to claim a potentially significant victory in their bid to retain the league title.
The result moved Arsenal three points clear of Manchester City at the summit, strengthening their position in the title race.
Manchester City, however, face the prospect of a potentially severe points deduction unless they overturn a guilty verdict relating to more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial and other regulations.
“It’s been such a long time without this feeling here, that we really needed it,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “We are extremely proud of what the team, the players, everybody has done.”
Liverpool produced an impressive response after falling behind, enjoying arguably their best spell under manager Andoni Iraola with a sustained attacking display.
However, the hosts failed to convert their chances, leaving the Spaniard with just his second defeat in 14 matches since arriving from Bournemouth.
Arteta had been highly critical of his players following Tuesday’s shock League Cup elimination by fourth-tier Fleetwood, one of the competition’s biggest upsets.
The Arsenal manager demanded a response, and his players delivered with an energetic start at Anfield.
Havertz, who had been among those guilty of wasting chances in midweek, made amends by finishing Declan Rice’s precise low cross to give the visitors an early lead.
The goal sparked an entertaining first half as Liverpool launched a determined fightback.
Isak’s decision frustrates Liverpool
Iraola and Arteta were teammates as youngsters at Basque club Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea, but their friendship was put aside as the former gave Arsenal a difficult afternoon.
Liverpool’s response left the visitors struggling to maintain their defensive organisation, with Arsenal fortunate to reach the break still ahead.
“I loved the reaction from my players after going 1-0 down. I loved a lot of moments of the game,” Iraola said.
“We have to keep going. It is very early in the season. Arsenal are in the best of the situations, but it is just the start of November today.”
Liverpool started all three of their £100 million-plus ($134 million) attacking signings, with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola showing signs of developing an effective partnership.
However, Isak missed a major opportunity to win a penalty after being pulled back by Jurrien Timber while attempting to connect with a dangerous delivery from Barcola.
Iraola was left frustrated that the referee did not award a spot kick.
“The Alex one is a clear penalty,” he said. “We can all see that he holds the shirt, but because he doesn’t go to the floor, you are not going to call the penalty? I don’t understand it.”
Wirtz came close to equalising when his free-kick from a tight angle struck the crossbar, while Alexis Mac Allister wasted a promising headed opportunity by directing his effort over the goal.
The half-time interval allowed Arsenal to regroup and regain control as Liverpool’s intensity gradually dropped in the second half.
Alisson Becker kept the hosts in contention with a superb save to turn behind Christos Tzolis’s goal-bound effort, which was heading towards the bottom corner.
However, Arsenal’s defence remained resolute in the closing stages as the Gunners secured their eighth victory in nine league matches and another clean sheet.
The defeat leaves fifth-placed Liverpool nine points behind Arsenal, with their hopes of mounting an early title challenge suffering a significant setback.
AFP
