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, thanks to Kai Havertz‘s first-half goal.
Mikel Arteta was Arsenal captain the last time the Gunners won at Liverpool, a 2-0 victory in 2012. They had made 16 unsuccessful trips to Anfield in all competitions before Sunday’s result.
The Spaniard’s side produced a defensive display to repel wave after wave of Liverpool attacks, delivering a rare and historic win.
Arsenal travelled to Anfield after a humbling defeat to League Two side Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Arteta said he believed that loss in Lancashire could spur his team 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 said Arsenal were expecting a “big battle” and “big chaos” against Liverpool. That prediction proved accurate. Arsenal were pinned back before the break, but they defended resolutely after it, although the second half was calmer. Liverpool did not manage a single shot on target.
The Gunners, who have kept six clean sheets this season, are now three points clear at the top of the table after nine games.
Havertz and Rice Lead the Celebrations
Arsenal’s 24 points after nine games is the most by any team at this stage of a season since the Gunners themselves in 2022-23. Only in the 2004-05 and 2007-08 seasons have Arsenal had more at this point of a Premier League campaign.
“It means a lot to our football club,” match winner Havertz said after the win.
“It’s been 13 games [in the Premier League without a win here], it’s a crazy stat and it’s what the fans deserve. We are happy we gave them that.”
The win was also Arsenal’s first clean sheet at Anfield in the Premier League since 2012.
Declan Rice, who assisted Havertz’s goal, said the atmosphere at Anfield was intense. “That is the Anfield way, that is what this Liverpool team can do, this is what this stadium does to you,” he 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 Premier League assists.
Title Defence Gets Off to a Strong Start
Arsenal are two points better off after nine games than they were at the same stage last season, when they won the title.
The attack has yet to click into gear, with 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 only just returned from a hamstring injury, and Viktor Gyokeres and Havertz have both been struggling for form.
The defence, however, remains an elite unit. The back four conceded only 27 goals last season and, on this evidence, could once again be the difference for the Gunners.
“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 are awaiting the outcome of their appeal against charges of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules. With several of the league’s other big sides in a period of transition, Arsenal could build a healthy lead at the top if they maintain this form.