The result opens up a three-point gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League - and means Mikel Arteta's side are nine clear of Liverpool.

In a battle of attrition, the only discernible difference was at the top end. Liverpool's various waves of pressure almost always led to an effort on David Raya's goal - 17 in total - but none actually forced the goalkeeper into a save.

Florian Wirtz hit the crossbar with a free-kick and Alexis Mac Allister ballooned a header over the bar unmarked, but Andoni Iraola's side failed to land a single shot on target at home for the first time on record. "It's been a defensive masterclass from Arsenal," said Gary Neville.

Liverpool have scored just four league goals in five Anfield outings this term.

The blunted hosts might have had an opportunity from the penalty spot to change that, but Jurrien Timber's less-than-subtle tug on Alexander Isak's shirt in the first half was not spotted by the officials, prompting Jamie Carragher to tell VAR to "do its job".

For the remainder of the game, Arsenal did theirs. Havertz's decider meant he became the division's top-scoring German with 46 goals in total, overtaking former Man City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and made sure his side collected another statement win in defence of their title.

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