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Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal's long-awaited win at Anfield had no bearing on the Premier League title race after his side moved three points clear of Manchester City on Sunday.
Arsenal secured their first victory in any competition at Anfield since September 2012, ending a run of 16 trips without a win there following Sunday's 1-0 triumph over Liverpool.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute during an enthralling first half, with the Gunners defending impressively to see out their eighth league win of the season.
Arteta's side now have 24 points this term, which is the most by a team after nine games of a Premier League season since the Gunners themselves in 2022-23 (also 24). Only in 2004-05 and 2007-08 have they ever had more at this stage of a top-flight campaign (25 in both).
It was a result that saw Arsenal capitalise on City's 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Saturday, with Arteta describing his team's performance as "incredible" in his post-match assessment.
"Extremely proud. It's been 14 years, that's a long time. I'm sure we made everybody attached to the club extremely proud," Arteta told Sky Sports.
"Not only for the victory but for the way we've done it, the spirit we've shown. Especially considering what happened four days ago when you lose and go out of the cup against a team you are supposed to beat.
"That's the magical part of this game. It can take you to really bad places, but four days later you have the opportunity to do something really historic and we've done it.
"But I have to give credit to the players for the situations and chances that we didn't put away. Overall, to win against a team that is producing what they are doing, and also in the emotional state after Fleetwood, that's what a winning team should do."
But when asked about the significance of the result in the title race, Arteta was not getting ahead of himself, saying: "It is too early.
"Let's enjoy this incredible victory with the players and staff and tomorrow we start to prepare for another big, big match in Prague."
24 – @Arsenal's 24 points are the most by a team after nine games of a Premier League season since the Gunners themselves in 2022-23 (also 24). Only in 2004-05 and 2007-08 have they ever had more at this stage of a PL campaign (25 in both). Hungry. https://t.co/JMu2gherPt
Arsenal's defence held firm to a barrage of Liverpool attacks, though the Reds' efforts, particularly in the second half, amounted to nothing that troubled David Raya.
In fact, for the first time on record (since 2003-04), Liverpool failed to record a shot on target in a Premier League game at Anfield. It was their 442nd league match played at the venue since the start of the 2003-04 campaign.
Under Arteta, Arsenal have gone on to win 81.1% of the Premier League matches in which they have opened the scoring (137/169).
Of managers to see their side open the scoring 100+ times in the competition, only Alex Ferguson (87.4%), Pep Guardiola (84.5%), and Jose Mourinho (83.0%) have higher win percentages when doing so.
"It was very fluid at times. We generated six or seven chances," Arteta added. "But the game becomes very chaotic once we misplace passes, a clearance, these guys are running at you. It's incredible the ability they have to generate vertical attacks.
"But the way the team sustained that kind of game is incredible for me. They are in a really good moment. It was really deserved, to come here and win in the manner that we have done. I think the players deserve so much credit."
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