Arsenal end Anfield drought as Havertz winner sends champions top

Arsenal end Anfield drought as Havertz winner sends champions top Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 as Havertz and Rice end long Anfield wait Arsenal ended their 14-year wait for a Premier League victory at Anfield with a performance built on early authority and determined defending. Kai Havertz supplied the only goal, finishing Declan Rice’s outstanding delivery to secure a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Mikel Arteta had been part of the last Arsenal league side to win at the ground in 2012. This time, he directed a team that struck first, survived Liverpool’s strongest spell and resisted the late pressure that followed. The victory took Arsenal above Manchester City to the top of the table and opened a nine-point gap over Liverpool. FotMob’s live commentary detailed an afternoon in which the visitors combined a precise attacking move with the defensive discipline required to preserve it. IMAGO Rice and Havertz deliver decisive Arsenal moment Arteta made five changes from the league win over Everton, with Havertz preferred to Viktor Gyokeres up front. Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis also came into the side. Without the injured Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, Arsenal nevertheless began confidently. Their breakthrough came after Martin Odegaard anticipated Alisson’s loose pass. Noni Madueke found Rice advancing on the overlap, and the midfielder drove a low cross through the six-yard area. Havertz arrived unmarked at the far post to finish in the 16th minute. “What a delivery that is. They’ve been assured and mature and they’re 1-0 up,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports, in comments carried by FotMob. Rice quickly contributed at the other end too, recovering to clear after a loose Ezri Konsa touch threatened to let Bradley Barcola in. Liverpool response tests defensive resolve Arsenal had opportunities to extend their lead before Liverpool gathered momentum. Guimaraes sent a ball across goal that Havertz could not quite reach, while another dangerous move ended when Timber inadvertently obstructed Madueke’s header back across the area. The failure to add a second left the visitors with little margin for error. Barcola and Milos Kerkez began causing problems down Liverpool’s left, delivering crosses that demanded repeated interventions. Calafiori cleared one dangerous ball, and Raya reacted quickly when possession threatened to fall for Alexander Isak. Arsenal also needed fortune. Florian Wirtz’s curling free-kick struck the crossbar, before Alexis Mac Allister headed over from an unmarked position eight yards out. Those chances prevented the first half from becoming a story of uninterrupted control. Arsenal had earned their lead, but Liverpool had opportunities to remove it. Arteta adjusts as Arsenal protect narrow advantage Liverpool continued to press after the interval, yet Arsenal’s defenders repeatedly prevented attacks from becoming clear attempts on goal. Konsa blocked Kerkez, although the offside flag then went up. Other efforts were crowded out or charged down, with Isak sending one shot high into the Kop from a tight angle. Arteta introduced Myles Lewis-Skelly for Guimaraes as the contest moved beyond the hour. Arsenal remained capable of threatening on the break. Tzolis forced Alisson into a save in the 73rd minute, offering a reminder that Liverpool’s pursuit of an equaliser carried risks. Later changes reinforced the visitors’ position. Piero Hincapie replaced Tzolis, Gyokeres took over from Havertz and Mikel Merino came on for Odegaard. Arsenal were increasingly focused on protecting what they had earned. Historic away win strengthens champions’ position The final minutes required concentration as Liverpool added fresh attackers and continued sending the ball towards the penalty area. Raya gathered a Munoz header and collected another loose ball after Ngumoha’s delivery failed to produce a clean Barcola attempt. The goalkeeper was booked for delaying a restart, but Arsenal’s advantage remained intact. After the shock League Cup exit against Fleetwood, this was a substantial response in a far more consequential league fixture. Arsenal left a ground that had repeatedly frustrated them with three points and the leadership of the division. Their performance was not flawless, particularly during Liverpool’s late first-half surge. It was effective where it mattered: Rice created, Havertz finished and the defence refused to yield. For Arteta, ending the Anfield drought added historical significance. Moving top gave the result its immediate value.