Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, November 1, their first league win there since 2012. Kai Havertz scored the only goal, and the champions went back to the top of the Premier League.
Photo: Altan KENDİRCİ / Pexels
The result puts Mikel Arteta's side three points clear of Manchester City and nine ahead of Liverpool. The last time Arsenal won at Anfield, in September 2012, Arteta was still playing in their midfield.
A mistake, then a tap-in
The goal came in the 16th minute and started with an error. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson tried a short pass out of his area, and Martin Odegaard cut it out. Arsenal moved the ball quickly to Declan Rice on the right, and his low cross found Havertz alone at the far post.
The finish was Havertz's 46th Premier League goal. That makes him the highest-scoring German in the league's history, one ahead of former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Seventeen shots, none on target
Liverpool pushed hard for the rest of the first half. Florian Wirtz curled a free kick against the woodwork, and Alexis Mac Allister headed over from eight yards when unmarked. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya also turned away a dangerous Virgil van Dijk header.
Liverpool finished with 17 shots and none on target. Sky Sports said it was the first time on record that Liverpool failed to hit the target in a home game. They have scored just four league goals in five games at Anfield this season, and the loss ended a five-match winning run in all competitions.
"It's been a defensive masterclass from Arsenal," Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.
A penalty Liverpool never got
The hosts had a real complaint in the 21st minute. Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt as he went for a header, and neither the referee nor the video assistant referee (VAR) gave a penalty. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told VAR to "do its job."
Arsenal could have won by more. Christos Tzolis, back after a month out, caused problems on the counterattack all afternoon, and Alisson made a diving save to stop his low shot in the 73rd minute.
Arsenal's club website said it was their 300th away win in the Premier League. It also came five days after they were knocked out of the League Cup on penalties by fourth-tier Fleetwood Town.
Arsenal play Slavia Prague away in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 4. They host Hull City in the league on Saturday, November 7, before the international break.
Is this the win that makes Arsenal title favorites again?
Arsenal's last win at Anfield was in 2012, so some of their young fans weren't even born yet.
Havertz, please don't make us wait another 14 years!