Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield to go top of the Premier League

Arsenal won 1-0 away at Liverpool in a Premier League matchweek 9 game played on Sunday 1 November 2026. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute.

How the match went

The hosts started well, hitting on the counter. Cody Gakpo shot wide, and soon afterwards David Raya got to the ball ahead of Bradley Barcola in the box. The turning point came after a mistake by Alisson when playing out from the back. Arsenal punished it quickly and Havertz scored from close range.

Liverpool responded with sustained pressure but without success. Florian Wirtz hit the crossbar with a free kick, yet the Reds went into the break without a shot on target. In the second half Arsenal defended better and had chances to extend their lead. Alisson made a fine save after a move involving Noni Madueke and Christos Tzolis. Late on the hosts' frustration grew, there was a scuffle, and Alexis Mac Allister was booked. Dominik Szoboszlai was among Liverpool's substitutes. Arsenal held on to the end.

First league win at Anfield since 2012

According to Eurosport, Arsenal had not won a league game at Liverpool since September 2012. They won 2-0 then, with one of the goals scored by Lukas Podolski, now the owner of Górnik Zabrze.

Top of the table

The win put Arsenal first. Before this round the Gunners were level on points with Manchester City but behind on goal difference. On Saturday City unexpectedly lost at home 1-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion. According to BBC Sport, Arsenal's lead over the rest of the league is now three points.

A response to the Fleetwood defeat

The match also had a cup backdrop. Arsenal were recently knocked out of the League Cup by Fleetwood Town, a League Two side. After a 1-1 draw the hosts won the penalty shoot-out 5-3. Sunday's result was therefore a response to that setback. For Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, it was a defeat in which they had no shot on target in the first half.