Mikel Arteta will not win any popularity contests playing like this, but Arsenal might just win another title with such brave, heroic victories after they frustrated the life out of Liverpool.

Incredibly, this was Arsenal’s first Premier League win at Anfield since 2012 when Arteta was playing himself.

That is how tough Arsenal have found Liverpool in the past 14 years which is remarkable as it was the scene of their greatest ever night when they won the title back in 1989.

But at the final whistle, the travelling Arsenal fans celebrated like they had just won the title again because they know what this victory will do for their belief and hope of retaining the Premier League.

Kai Havertz provided the story of redemption as he got the winner just days after his nightmare and hat-trick of misses at Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup. Declan Rice was one of a number of standout performances as Arsenal battled and gave everything until Liverpool simply ran out of ideas.

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola can count himself so unlucky because they hit the bar, missed a hatful of chances themselves and really should have had a penalty for Jurrien Timber’s clear shirt pull on Alexander Isak.

But titles are built on a slice of luck and days like these. Arsenal now go clear at the top and, while they lack some stardust in attack, they have real guts and work rate everywhere else on the pitch. They dug in and, at the final whistle, the Liverpool fans booed loudly in frustration but probably with some deep down admiration for Arteta’s battlers.

Quite how Liverpool did not score is anyone’s guess. But how many times have opponents said that already this season? They have won eight out of nine games and kept six clean sheets.

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That is a tribute to Arsenal’s defence and the rock solid partnership of Ezri Konsa and Gabriel with David Raya marshalling the back line with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori outstanding in the full-back roles.

Last month, Arsenal won at Nottingham Forest and the debate was whether that narrow 1-0 win was the mark of champions or just plain dull. But there can be no debate this time. Arsenal fought while Liverpool more than played their part in what was an epic clash.

This was English football at its best. Hard fought, entertaining and, yes, we wanted more goals and entertainment but it was still incredibly engrossing. It was also some reaction by Arsenal after their midweek humiliation at Fleetwood and it was written in the stars that it had to be Havertz who was the hero.

Arsenal went ahead after 16 minutes and it was Odegaard who set the tone by chasing down a loose ball in midfield. Bruno Guimaraes and Noni Madueke combined nicely before Rice flashed a low ball across the face of goal. There was Havertz at the back post to steer home from a tight angle and the Germany striker duly celebrated by cupping his hands to his ears.

But from there, Liverpool absolutely battered Arsenal. They laid siege to the visitors’ goal. This was the ultimate test - and Arsenal passed it again. It was like the Alamo. Virgil van Dijk and Isak both went close. Liverpool should have had a penalty but somehow VAR cleared Timber’s clear shirt pull on Isak.

Liverpool coach Pablo De La Torre, part of Iraola’s backroom staff, was booked for his protests as the entire bench leapt up in disgust. They had every right to be frustrated. It was clear.

Florian Wirtz’s free kick smashed the crossbar and then Alexis Mac Allister headed over a gilt-edged chance from point blank range. After their bright start, Arsenal had retreated and were clinging on.

Iraola rolled the dice with Dominik Szoboszlai and Rio Ngumoha. But, in truth, they ran out of ideas on how to break down Arsenal’s defence. It became desperate when Mac Allister threw himself down under the slightest touch from Madueke. That was embarrassing.

But now the Premier League table makes for good reading for Arteta.