Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in a game that kicked off at 23:30 Vietnam time on 1 November, going top of the Premier League after round 9, ending a run without a league win at the ground that stretched back to September 2012. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute, and Mikel Arteta's side then denied the hosts a single shot on target.
How it was won
The goal came from a Liverpool error. As the Guardian describes it, Alisson's short pass out to Jérémy Jacquet was poorly weighted, Martin Odegaard pounced, and Declan Rice raced down the right to slide a low cross through for Havertz to tap in at the far post. Arsenal.com says the goal made Havertz the all-time leading German scorer in Premier League history.
Liverpool hit back strongly before the break. Florian Wirtz's free-kick struck the crossbar on 39 minutes and Alexis Mac Allister headed a free chance over from Milos Kerkez's cross on 43. After the interval Andoni Iraola sent on five attacking substitutes, but his side never tested David Raya. Liverpoolfc.com notes it was the club's second defeat under Iraola.
The flashpoints
In the first half Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt as he tried to reach a Bradley Barcola cross, but referee Andy Madley gave nothing and VAR did not intervene. Speaking to Sky Sports, Virgil van Dijk said: "I think it was also a clear penalty". On 79 minutes Mac Allister went down after touching foreheads with Noni Madueke; VAR checked for a red card but Madueke stayed on. VnExpress reports that Mac Allister and Timber were booked.
The numbers
Compiled by KBVN+ from VnExpress (Fotmob data) and the two clubs' websites:
| Stat | Liverpool | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 17 | 10 |
| Shots on target | 0 | 3 |
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
According to Arsenal.com, Arsenal became the first side to stop Liverpool registering a shot on target in a home Premier League match since Opta began recording the data in 2003/04. It was also the club's 300th Premier League away win, a mark only Manchester United (328) had reached before, VnExpress notes. It came four days after Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Fleetwood. Arteta, who played in Arsenal's last win at Anfield in 2012, told the club website: "So happy, so proud, full of energy". He added: "It’s been 14 years waiting for this moment".
What comes next
Arsenal visit Slavia Prague on 4 November in matchday 4 of the Champions League, then host Hull City on 7 November in round 10 before the November international break. Liverpool go to Crystal Palace on 8 November.