Arsenal Takes Top Spot After First Anfield Win in 14 Years

Arsenal defeated Liverpool 1-0 on Sunday to end a 14 year losing streak at Anfield. The result moved the Gunners to first place in the Premier League standings. It was the first time since 2012 that an Arsenal team won at the Merseyside club's home ground.

The decisive moment came in the 16th minute. Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match. He finished a low cross from Declan Rice at the back post. The strike gave Havertz 46 career goals in the Premier League. That total surpassed Ilkay Gundogan to make him the all time leading German scorer in the competition.

The goal originated from a defensive error by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. During a goal kick, Becker attempted a short pass. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard intercepted the ball and initiated a counterattack. Rice then delivered a cross between Becker and the Liverpool defenders, leaving Havertz with an easy finish.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta started the match with his full regular lineup. This was a sharp contrast to Tuesday's League Cup exit against Fleetwood Town, a fourth tier side. In that match, Arteta fielded a largely second string team that lost in a penalty shootout. On Sunday, the full squad held firm against heavy pressure.

Liverpool dominated possession and created numerous chances but failed to convert them into shots on target. Florian Wirtz struck the crossbar with a free kick in the final quarter of the first half. Alexis Mac Allister headed a shot over the bar while unmarked. Several penalty appeals by the hosts were waved away by the referee.

The defensive structure proved decisive for the visitors. Arsenal recorded their sixth clean sheet in their last nine games. Declan Rice credited the collective effort of the back line for the result. He noted that the group's unity in defense was something he had not seen before in his career.

The victory extended Arsenal's winning streak to eight matches this season. It also broke Liverpool's run of five consecutive wins. The hosts had only suffered one defeat prior to this match, a loss to Manchester City at Anfield on October 11.

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai acknowledged the inconsistency in his team's performance. He stated that some days the club feels like it is at the top of the league, while other days it feels distant. He added that reaching a consistent level of excellence takes time.

The win places Arsenal three points ahead of second place Manchester City. The Gunners lead third place Brighton by five points. Brighton is the only team to have beaten the defending champions this season. Manchester City has lost its last two league matches, falling to Aston Villa and Brighton.

Arsenal will now look to build on this momentum. The team remains focused on its title defense despite the recent cup upset. The next fixture will test the squad's ability to maintain this defensive intensity.