Arsenal have finally broken their Premier League hoodoo at Anfield, securing a landmark 1-0 victory over Liverpool to strengthen their position at the top of the table.
Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in the first half, converting Declan Rice’s assist to settle a contest in which Arsenal had to withstand sustained pressure from the hosts. The result ended a 14-year wait for a league victory at Liverpool, with the Gunners’ previous success there coming in 2012, when Mikel Arteta was captain.
The victory carried added significance given the circumstances. Arsenal arrived on Merseyside just four days after suffering an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit against League Two Fleetwood Town. Arteta had challenged his players to respond, insisting beforehand that the trip to Anfield had to be the occasion when they ended their long wait.
The Arsenal manager was delighted with the reaction, particularly the team’s resilience after taking the lead.
“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,” Arteta said.
Liverpool pushed hard in search of an equaliser, creating repeated waves of pressure before half-time. Arsenal, however, remained organised and disciplined, and their defensive performance became the defining feature of the afternoon. The Gunners did not allow Liverpool a shot on target in the second half.
Declan Rice, who provided the assist for Havertz, highlighted the collective effort required to protect the lead.
He described Liverpool’s pressure as relentless but praised the togetherness within the Arsenal squad, adding that the experience of finally winning at Anfield meant a great deal to the players and supporters.
The result also underlined Arsenal’s defensive strength this season. They have kept six clean sheets and conceded just 27 goals throughout the previous campaign, giving Arteta a solid foundation even when the attacking performances have not been at their most fluent.
Arsenal have scored 14 goals in nine league matches this season, with injuries and suspensions limiting Arteta’s attacking options. Bukayo Saka remains sidelined, while Max Dowman is suspended following his dismissal against Fleetwood. Viktor Gyökeres and Havertz have also had spells of inconsistent form.
Nevertheless, the Gunners have collected 24 points from their opening nine league fixtures, three points clear at the summit. Their total is among the strongest starts in the club’s Premier League history and puts them in a promising position as they pursue another title.
For Arteta, the win was about more than three points. After ending difficult away runs at Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal have now overcome another major challenge on the road.
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