Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, their first win there since 2012, moving three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute, becoming the all-time leading German goalscorer in Premier League history.
The Gunners withstood heavy pressure from the home side, recording 49 clearances on the night. The defensive pairing of Gabriel and Ezri Konsa, along with full-backs Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, held firm to preserve the lead and secure all three points.
Iraola Fumes Over Denied Penalty
A first-half incident involving Timber and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has caused controversy. In the 21st minute, a Liverpool cross came into the box and Isak leapt under pressure from Timber but could not get anything on the ball. Replays showed the Arsenal defender had a handful of Isak's shirt as the cross flashed by.
Isak did not appeal and instead stayed on his feet and had words with Timber. Referee Andy Madley waved play on and VAR did not intervene. After the game, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola claimed his side should have had a penalty and said he will now tell his players to go down more easily.
An angry Iraola said: "I think the [Alexander] Isak one is a clear penalty. He is going to head the ball in front of the goal and they grab him where everyone sees the shirt."
"You don't need a lot just to avoid Alex because the ball just goes in front of him and I don't see the reason why [it is not given]. Probably because he doesn't dive or he doesn't go to the floor – it shouldn't be a reason not to concede a penalty."
"I can say what I think about the situations, but we cannot waste too much time about the refereeing decisions. We have to say what it is, I think it is a pen, but we have to control the things we need to improve to be on the right side of these close games."
Rice Reveals Private Arteta Chat
Elsewhere, Declan Rice, who set up Havertz for the only goal of the game, has revealed the details of a private chat he had with Arteta at the start of this season.
"I think the manager had a really honest conversation with me at the start of the season and still thinks I can do more in this shirt and for this club," Rice told Sky Sports.
"This season so far I've been feeling really good. We spoke about overlaps before this game and I spoke to Havertz about attacking the box with real aggression and he was there. He nearly could have had another one with the same action. I'm so happy for him because he deserves that goal and ultimately to win 1-0."
Next up for Rice and his team-mates is a European trip to Prague on Wednesday evening. Arsenal are currently seventh in the Champions League standings after two wins and a draw last time out against Bayern Munich.
