Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 1, ending a wait of more than 14 years for a win at the ground. Kai Havertz's first-half finish separated the teams and put Mikel Arteta's side three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
The decisive goal came inside 17 minutes after a misplaced pass from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson began the move that brought Arsenal their breakthrough. Declan Rice supplied a cross for Havertz, who converted at the far post. The goal took Havertz to 46 Premier League goals, moving him above Ilkay Gündogan as the competition's highest-scoring German player.
Liverpool responded with sustained pressure and appealed for a penalty when Jurriën Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt inside the area, but no spot kick was awarded. Alexis Mac Allister then had an opportunity to equalise late in the first half, heading over the crossbar from a dangerous delivery by Milos Kerkez.
The hosts recorded 28 touches in Arsenal's penalty area before the interval. That was the highest first-half total by any team against Arsenal in a Premier League match since records began in the 2008-09 season. Despite that pressure and an attack featuring Isak, Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool finished the match without a shot on target.
Arsenal limited Liverpool's opportunities after the break and had a chance to extend their advantage when Christos Tzolis forced Alisson to turn a low shot around the post. Arteta also made a change in the 62nd minute, replacing Bruno Guimarães with the more attack-minded Myles Lewis-Skelly as the visitors worked to protect their narrow lead.
The result ended Liverpool's five-match winning streak across all competitions and left Andoni Iraola's team nine points behind Arsenal. Liverpool's second-half chances were less threatening than those created before the interval, and their early response to conceding ultimately brought no equaliser.
For Arsenal, the victory followed a Carabao Cup defeat by Fleetwood Town and broke an unsuccessful run at Anfield stretching back to September 2012, when Arteta was still a player. The reigning champions secured all three points with Havertz's early goal and a clean sheet, overcoming a venue where they had repeatedly struggled.
