Havertz pounces on Alisson error
Kai Havertz scored his first goal in ten appearances to secure a 1-0 victory for Arsenal at Anfield. The breakthrough arrived after Alisson attempted a short pass to Jeremy Jacquet, but the goalkeeper misdirected the ball. Martin Odegaard intercepted the pass, played the ball up the right, and watched as Declan Rice fizzed a low delivery across the corridor of the six-yard box for Havertz to tap in. Liverpool pressed Arsenal heavily in the first half, yet they failed to test the defense effectively. Trey Nyoni made his full league debut and challenged both Martin Odegaard and Havertz early in the match. Jurrien Timber pulled the shirt of Alexander Isak in the 21st minute, though the referee did not issue a card. Cody Gakpo also went down following a tussle with Christos Tzolis, but no penalty resulted from the incident. Florian Wirtz hit a free-kick against the crossbar, and Alexis Mac Allister missed a free header from a Milos Kerkez cross in the 43rd minute. Havertz also narrowly failed to connect to a Bruno Guimaraes cross-cum-shot during the opening period. Jurrien Timber could not react to a volley from Noni Madueke after Christos Tzolis provided the cross from an acute angle.
A disciplined backline
Arsenal’s defensive organization was clearly the best part of this performance, as they absorbed constant pressure to secure their first league win at Anfield since 2012. This result follows a midweek Carabao Cup humiliation at Fleetwood Town. The match could be described as defence versus attack, with Arsenal spending much of the match repelling Liverpool advances. Liverpool recorded 17 attempts on goal, but none of these efforts landed on target. While Liverpool players like Alexander Isak, who has scored six Premier League goals this season, struggled to find space, Arsenal maintained their shape and discipline to absorb the intense pressure from the home side throughout the opening period. The Gunners frustrated Andoni Iraola’s team, ending the hosts’ five-match winning streak in all competitions. Arsenal also forced Alexander Isak to remain quiet and saw Bradley Barcola denied after Declan Rice intercepted a loose touch from Ezri Konsa. Arsenal rode their luck at times in the first half, but they held Liverpool at arm’s length. This victory, which occurs in a stadium where Mikel Arteta once played in the midfield during a 2012 win, makes a statement. Arteta’s memories of his own 2012 appearance at Anfield are a little hazy because of the concussion he sustained in a collision with Jordan Henderson.
Liverpool frustration at Anfield
Liverpool ran out of ideas in the second half as Arsenal managed the game with veteran knowhow. Andoni Iraola introduced the fit-again Dominik Szoboszlai for the 19-year-old Nyoni in the 59th minute, and the youngster received a tremendous ovation from the crowd as he left the pitch. Christos Tzolis forced a save from Alisson in the 68th minute, and Jeremy Jacquet made an important intervention to stop a potential Odegaard goal. The Kop teemed with intensity and indignation because the fans felt Arsenal players were too quick to tumble to the ground. Virgil van Dijk received a booking for sarcastically applauding referee Andy Madley at the final whistle. Everybody connected to the club raged at what they perceived as Arsenal’s dark arts. Alexis Mac Allister also went down during a melee involving Noni Madueke, who had previously received a booking for a foul on Bradley Barcola. Mac Allister felt Madueke initiate a touch of foreheads, but the referee did not send the Arsenal player off. Mac Allister also grew angry after Odegaard bought a free-kick towards the end of the match.
