Inside seconds of the full-time whistle, Gabriel Heinze had lifted an elated Mikel Arteta off the turf.
The Argentine knew why this end result introduced his colleague a sure catharsis, which had eluded him for over a decade.
Arteta had beforehand opened up concerning the psychological difficulties of taking part in at Anfield, describing the expertise akin to a bicycle owner abruptly working out of power. A psychological paralysis of kinds.
The sport in query was in February 2014, having skilled a 5-1 defeat as a Gunners participant. Arsenal’s earlier victory in opposition to Liverpool away dated again to September 2012, a 14-year wait to banish these demons which he was duly reminded of in Friday’s press convention and within the minutes earlier than kick-off.
As an alternative, it’s now getting scary for Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals. The prospect of the Arteta’s facet opening up a spot from the chasing pack by Christmas is changing into an actual risk — and it’s all due to their defence.
A William Saliba-less backline lowering the Reds to zero photographs on the right track at Anfield is a second value digesting.
Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Heinze jubilantly embrace as the ultimate whistle blows at Anfield
Arsenal ended their 14-year look forward to a Premier League victory at Anfield with an excellent show
Profitable on opposition territory after an abysmal file lasting over a decade is an achievement in itself. However to make sure a frontline that includes Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola aren’t given a lot as a sniff in entrance of purpose is an extra assertion.
For all the main focus across the fragilities of their frontline — the weaknesses are nonetheless very a lot within the open, as seen by the shock Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood City — it’s Arsenal’s defence which underpins the whole lot.
For the reason that begin of final season, Arsenal haven’t misplaced a league sport when main the scoreline at half-time. Identical to how Arsenal’s (beforehand) woeful file at Anfield could be used as a reminder, this statistic is a menacing one for future opponents.
It raises the query: how does this backline evaluate to the most effective Premier League defences who got here earlier than them?
If the crew stick with it on this vein in direction of a consecutive league title, the Arsenal Invincibles set-up from the historic 2003-04 season of Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Ashley Cole and Lauren, with Jens Lehmann in purpose, may quickly be outmoded.
The present assortment of defenders, backed up by David Raya, create a defensive construction which is proving so laborious to interrupt down, even with the shortage of a sole common scorer within the facet.
Gabriel, regardless of his embarrassing try at pretending Isak struck him within the face yesterday, stayed sturdy in bodily duels and didn’t relent in durations when Liverpool piled the strain on.
By the forty second minute, the Reds had whipped in 17 crosses, lots of which had been cleared by Gabriel or Konsa.
Riccardo Calafiori is a wonderfully-gifted footballer who finds himself in some unorthodox positions that are troublesome to trace. The Italian’s menacing runs inverting from the left flank precipitated Liverpool many an issue.
Kai Havertz tapped residence from a low cross early on to present Arsenal a vital result in defend
Even Jurrien Timber, who didn’t have his finest sport within the closing third, helped guarantee solidity at proper again up in opposition to Cody Gakpo.
It’s the £55million Ezri Konsa, although, which displays a shrewdness typifying Arsenal and Arteta. As quickly because it emerged that Saliba could be sidelined for months with a again damage, a right-sided centre again turned the precedence.
The 29-year-old has slotted in seamlessly and once more shone in opposition to the Reds, mirroring the ‘blessed’ tattoo he has in-scripted on his left hand.
The versatile defender gained 100 per cent of his floor duels, made 14 defensive contributions and accomplished eight clearances. He ranked No 1 in all these classes yesterday.
An Arteta crew begins from a rock-solid base with a number of, versatile defenders, usually at the price of fewer frontline choices (Arteta struck simply two extra league objectives than third-placed Manchester United final season, for instance).
It finally labored within the earlier marketing campaign, their defence propelling Arsenal to a primary Premier League title in 22 years.
One other title seems to be nicely on monitor. And: be careful Campbell and Co. The moniker for Arsenal’s finest defence in trendy historical past is in danger.
GUNNERS GAINING FROM MIKEL’S RUTHLESS STREAK
Arteta’s ruthlessness is well-documented. Simply ask Aaron Ramsdale or Jakub Kiwior, who had been eased out after being surplus to necessities in recent times.
Or the chilly remedy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil earlier within the Spaniard’s reign over their behaviours.
Arteta’s ruthlessness with crew choice is constant to pay dividends for the Gunners
The present squad is brimming with expertise — and spades of uncertainty.
Eberechi Eze carried out nicely off the bench in opposition to Bayern Munich after Bukayo Saka’s thigh damage on 10 minutes, adopted up by a begin in opposition to Everton — and didn’t get a minute in opposition to Liverpool.
Whereas Viktor Gyokeres was given his first league begin of the season in opposition to Everton, the place he performed nicely — solely to be dropped for this match.
As seen by Christos Tzolis’ sprint to make yesterday’s squad forward of schedule, influenced by Max Dowman’s three-match suspension, nobody’s place is actually safe.
That makes for a really aggressive setting.
HEINZE IS RAISING THE BAR
The ultimate phrase should relaxation with Heinze.
The fiery serial-winner, drafted in by Arteta in July 2025, was at all times going to demand excessive requirements and convey a ferocity which may flip some the incorrect manner. At Argentine facet Newell’s Outdated Boys, for instance, he would weigh the gamers twice a day.
Heinze’s arrival in July 2025 has added a steeliness to the defence and paid off in spades
So the appointment was hooked up with dangers, even when Arteta had grown near his ex-team-mate from his Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s turned out to be a intelligent addition, which has added a steeliness to the defence and paid off in spades.
Sources say that Heinze, who has managed 5 groups, is well-respected by the gamers, however can also be seen as somebody who doesn’t mince his phrases. They know he’s not right here to fiddle.
