Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit after ending a 14-year wait for an away league victory over Liverpool, with Kai Havertz’s first-half finish earning the Gunners a 1-0 success at Anfield.
The reigning champions were forced to withstand sustained pressure following the German forward’s 16th-minute goal, but they protected their narrow advantage in a result that could prove hugely significant in their bid to defend the title.
Arsenal are now three points ahead of Manchester City at the head of the standings.
City could yet receive a major deduction if they fail to overturn a guilty ruling in relation to more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League regulations. With that uncertainty hanging over their closest challengers, Arsenal inflicted a damaging setback on the side most likely to contest the title with them.
Liverpool delivered perhaps their finest spell of Andoni Iraola’s short reign, overwhelming Arsenal for around 30 minutes after falling behind. However, they could not convert their opportunities, and the Spaniard suffered only a second loss in 14 matches since taking over following his departure from Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta had sharply criticised his Arsenal players after Tuesday’s extraordinary League Cup elimination at the hands of fourth-tier Fleetwood.
His demand for a reaction was answered by a commanding opening from the champions.
Havertz had been among those guilty of missing chances in midweek, but he responded in ideal fashion, sliding home after Declan Rice delivered an accurate low cross.
That breakthrough set up a breathless opening half, as Liverpool responded with intensity and pushed Arsenal deep into their own territory.
Iraola and Arteta have known each other since their youth, when both played for Basque club Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea.
Yet Arteta’s former teammate oversaw one of the most testing afternoons Arsenal have faced in recent years, with their normally formidable defensive unit struggling to reach the interval intact.
Liverpool fielded all three of their forwards valued at more than £100 million ($134 million), and the attacking understanding between Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola appeared to be developing.
Isak arguably helped Arsenal when he stayed on his feet after Jurrien Timber tugged him back as he narrowly failed to make contact with a dangerous Barcola cross.
Arsenal remained a threat on the break. Bruno Guimaraes dragged an effort narrowly wide, while Timber accidentally stopped Noni Madueke’s pass across the face of goal, with Havertz poised for a tap-in.
Liverpool came close at the other end when Wirtz bent a tight-angle free-kick against the crossbar. Alexis Mac Allister then should have directed a header into the net, but instead sent it into the stands behind David Raya’s goal.
The interval gave Arsenal an opportunity to regroup, and they gradually reduced Liverpool’s momentum as Iraola’s players began to fade after the restart.
Alisson Becker kept his team alive with an outstanding stop, getting down to push Christos Tzolis’s low shot around the post as it headed for the corner.
But the save did not change the outcome. Arsenal negotiated the final stages to secure another shutout, making it eight victories from nine league fixtures.
The loss leaves Liverpool in fifth place, nine points behind the leaders, with a daunting task ahead if they are to rejoin the championship battle.
