Arsenal Beat Liverpool to Go Top of League
Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to move to the top of the Premier League. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute, and the defending champions held on for their first win away to Liverpool in 14 years.
The win lifted Arsenal three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. It was also their eighth win in nine league games, and another clean sheet for a defence that has become the foundation of their title defence.
Arsenal beat Liverpool: how the game was won
Havertz finished simply from Declan Rice’s precise low cross after a strong Arsenal start. The early goal set the tone for a fast first 45 minutes, as Liverpool roared back and produced arguably their best spell of Andoni Iraola’s early months in charge.
Liverpool failed to take their chances during a blistering 30 minutes after conceding. Florian Wirtz curled a free kick onto the bar from a narrow angle, and Alexis Mac Allister headed over the bar when he should have scored. Alisson Becker then produced a stunning save in the second half to turn behind a Christos Tzolis shot that was heading for the bottom corner.
The biggest talking point came when Alexander Isak stayed on his feet after Jurrien Timber pulled his shirt as he tried to reach a delivery from Bradley Barcola. Iraola was clear about the incident after the game. “The Alex one is a clear penalty,” he said. “We can all see that he holds the shirt, but because he doesn’t go to the floor, you are not going to call the penalty? I don’t understand it.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his side’s resolve after a difficult week. Arteta had criticised his team after they crashed out to fourth-tier Fleetwood in the League Cup on Tuesday, in one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history. “It’s been such a long time without this feeling here, that we really needed it,” Arteta said. “We are extremely proud of what the team, the players, everybody has done.”
A telling win in the title race
The result dealt a heavy blow to Liverpool’s own title hopes. Defeat left Liverpool in fifth place, nine points adrift of the leaders, and already facing a mountain to climb to get back into the race.
Arsenal, by contrast, dealt a blow to their most likely rivals for the title. Manchester City are expected to be hit with a severe points penalty, unless they can overturn a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League rules, according to the match report. That context makes Arsenal’s three-point lead at the summit look even stronger, though the season is still young.
Iraola struck a measured note after only his second defeat in 14 games since arriving from Bournemouth. “I loved the reaction from my players after going 1-0 down,” he said. “I loved a lot of moments of the game. We have to keep going. It is very early in the season. Arsenal are in the best of the situations but it is just the start of November today.”
There were also signs that Liverpool’s three forwards who each cost more than £100 million are starting to combine. Isak, Wirtz and Barcola all started together, and the report noted that their relationship is beginning to flourish. For now, though, that promise produced no goal, and Arsenal rode out the closing stages with the composure of champions.
Arsenal reset at half-time as Iraola’s men tired, and protected their lead and clean sheet to the end.
Related Feature Pakistan coverage includes the Arsenal reaction after the Fleetwood shock.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored as Arsenal beat Liverpool?
Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute, finishing from Declan Rice’s low cross to give Arsenal a 1-0 win.
When did Arsenal last win away to Liverpool?
Sunday’s win was Arsenal’s first away victory over Liverpool in 14 years, according to the match report.
Where does the result leave the Premier League table?
Arsenal moved three points clear of Manchester City at the top. Liverpool dropped to fifth place, nine points behind the leaders.
What did Andoni Iraola say about the penalty claim?
Iraola said Alexander Isak was denied a clear penalty when Jurrien Timber pulled his shirt, and questioned why staying on his feet should count against the Liverpool forward.
Why was the win important for Arsenal?
It was their eighth win in nine league games and another clean sheet. It also came days after a shock League Cup exit to fourth-tier Fleetwood, making the response at Liverpool a telling one.
