Arsenal Finally Break Anfield Curse With Defensive Masterclass

Arsenal have finally ended one of the most stubborn runs in their recent history. The Gunners have won at Anfield for the first time since 2012, a stretch that began when Mikel Arteta was still a regular in Arsenal's midfield. Going back that far makes clear how long the wait has been, and how many visits to Merseyside ended without a win.

The result was built on a disciplined, organised performance. Arsenal kept their shape, limited Liverpool's chances in the areas where the home side usually does the most damage, and made the match a test of patience rather than a shootout. The defensive display has been described as a masterclass, and Declan Rice was singled out for an elite performance in the middle of the pitch, the kind of showing that stabilises a team when the pressure is building.

For Arsenal, the win matters beyond the three points. Beating Liverpool on their own ground is a statement about how far this group has come, and it gives the squad a result to point to when they talk about being genuine contenders. For Arteta, there is a neat symmetry: the last time Arsenal triumphed here, he was one of the players on the pitch, and now he has the job of managing the side that finally broke the run.