Arsenal end Anfield hoodoo, go top of EPL

AP:

Arsenal ended a 14-year wait for a win at Anfield, defeating Liverpool 1-0 through Kai Havertz’s first-half strike to climb to the top of the Premier League yesterday.

Not since 2012, when current manager Mikel Arteta marshalled the team’s midfield, had Arsenal won at Liverpool’s intimidating home ground.

The long drought was finally ended by Havertz, who slotted home from close range at the back post after an excellent low cross from the lively Declan Rice in the 16th minute.

Arsenal then defended resolutely, particularly during a spell of sustained Liverpool pressure in the first half, to secure their sixth clean sheet in nine matches of a title defence that continues to gather momentum.

The victory, Arsenal’s eighth of the campaign, lifted the Gunners above Manchester City into first place.

More significantly, given the uncertainty surrounding City’s future following their guilty verdict for large-scale financial rule-breaking, Arsenal now sit five points clear of third-placed Brighton, the only team to have beaten the defending champions this season.

The defeat ended Liverpool’s five-match winning streak since their only previous loss of the campaign, against Manchester City at Anfield on October 11.

During a fierce spell of pressure late in the first half, Florian Wirtz struck the crossbar with a free kick, Alexis Mac Allister headed over from close range when unmarked, and Liverpool saw several penalty appeals waved away.

Liverpool remained fifth in the standings, already nine points adrift of Arsenal.

“Some days it feels like we are at the top,” said Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, “and some days it feels like we are not even close. It takes time to get to the top.”

Alisson mistake punished

The decisive goal stemmed from a costly Liverpool error.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker attempted a short pass from a goal kick, but it was intercepted by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, triggering a swift counterattack.

The ball was worked to the right, where Rice, advancing on the overlap, threaded a cross between Alisson and Liverpool’s defenders for Havertz to finish with ease.

The goal also saw Havertz become the Premier League’s all-time leading German scorer with 46 goals, one more than former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Although Alisson produced a superb late save to tip away a curling effort from Christos Tzolis, it was his earlier mistake that ultimately proved decisive.

Fleetwood setback forgotten

In the space of five days, Arsenal suffered elimination from the English League Cup at the hands of fourth-tier Fleetwood Town before winning at arguably the toughest venue in England.

The penalty shoot-out defeat to Fleetwood was one of the most embarrassing results in the club’s history, even though Arteta fielded a largely second-string side on Tuesday.

He restored his regular starters yesterday, and they responded with a gritty victory in what was arguably the sternest test of their title defence so far.

“This is the magical thing about football,” Arteta said. “It’s so unpredictable, the next result.”

Arsenal will also be encouraged by Manchester City’s recent struggles, with the champions having suffered back-to-back league defeats against Aston Villa and Brighton.