Kai Havertz scored the only goal after 16 minutes as Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in Premier League gameweek 9 on Sunday.
Declan Rice provided the assist. Liverpool had more of the ball and more shots, but they could not find an equaliser.
The decisive moment
Havertz's goal in the 16th minute was the only one of the afternoon. Arsenal had the lead and Liverpool spent the rest of the game chasing it.
Liverpool finished with 17 shots to Arsenal's 10, but only one of them was on target. Nine were blocked and eight went off target. Arsenal put three shots on target.
The game became more bad-tempered after the break. Bradley Barcola was booked for Liverpool on 45+2 minutes. Noni Madueke (55), Myles Lewis-Skelly (72) and Jurrien Timber (80) followed for Arsenal. Milos Kerkez (67) and Alexis Mac Allister (80) were also booked for Liverpool. David Raya was booked in the 93rd minute, the last card of the match.
What the numbers say
Liverpool had 56% of possession to Arsenal's 44% and won the corner count 7-4. They also committed more fouls, 18 to 10.
Expected goals (xG), which measures the quality of chances created, was low at both ends. The figures, via Fantasy Premier League, were 0.77 for Arsenal and 0.59 for Liverpool. Arsenal's edge on chance quality was small, but it was enough to separate the sides.
The same data shows how hard Arsenal are to break down. They concede an average of 0.78 xG per game this season, against 1.2 for Liverpool.
What it means
Arsenal lead the table with 24 points from nine games. They have won eight of them and have a goal difference of +9. They average 2.67 points per game, concede 0.56 goals per game and have six clean sheets.
Liverpool are fifth on 15 points, nine behind the leaders. They have won four of their nine league games and have a goal difference of +2. They average 1.22 goals per game, and this result will not help that figure.
Liverpool came into the game after a 0-0 draw with Fulham. Arsenal had won 2-0 at Sunderland.
The result also changes the recent record between the clubs. Of the last seven meetings, Liverpool and Arsenal have each won two and three have been drawn. The most recent of those was a 0-0 draw at Arsenal in January.
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