Declan Rice waved arsenalthe union after ending a 14-year wait for a win at Anfield to beat Liverpool 1-0.
The Gunners beat Liverpool for the first time since 2012 as Kai Havertz’s first-half goal proved decisive to send Arsenal three points clear of Manchester City in top of the Premier League.
Arsenal survived intense pressure from Liverpool after going ahead and were untroubled in the second half, with Andoni Iraola’s men failing to register a shot on target.
Asked about Arsenal’s efforts to keep Liverpool at bay, Rice told Sky Sports: “That’s the Anfield way, that’s what this Liverpool team can do and they just create waves and waves of attack. Relentless attacks.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but in the end this defensive line and this unit is undefeated, nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Rice’s superb cross to the far post allowed Havertz to break the deadlock, his fifth Premier League assist of the season.
“Coach had a really good, honest conversation with me at the beginning of the season,” Rice added.
“He still thinks I can do more for this club and this shirt and I think I’ve felt really good this season.
“I’m really happy for Havertz because he deserved that goal and ultimately the 1-0 win. It’s demanding, but that’s what this team does. You can only take the table seriously in February and March games – anything between now and then, you just have to win.”
Arteta, who was in the starting XI in 2012 for Arsenal’s previous win at Anfield, felt his side’s spirit was particularly impressive given the game came on the back of a stunning EFL Cup exit at the hands of League Two Fleetwood Town.
“It’s been 14 years, that’s a long time. I’m sure we made everyone connected to the club very proud today,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “Not just for the win but the way we did it, the spirit we showed. Especially considering what happened four days ago when you lose and you’re out of the cup against a team you’re supposed to beat.
“That’s the magic part of this game, it can take you to very bad places, but four days later you have the opportunity to do something really historic and we’ve done it.
“I think we have to give credit to the players for the situations and opportunities that we didn’t leave today. 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.”
“That’s something you want to achieve. That’s the challenge and the mission you want to achieve. I love it when it’s something we haven’t done for many years. It was the same with Chelsea away and Manchester United away. To be able to beat all of those, that’s the purpose and the motivation and why we do what we do.”
Iraola will tell Isak to dive
Liverpool’s defeat left them nine points adrift of Arsenal at the top, although the hosts were hurt as a number of penalty shouts were sent off.
Iraola was left fuming by an incident which saw Jurrien Timber strip Alexander Isak’s shirt in the box, preventing him from reaching Bradley Barcola’s cross.
Isak has not fallen under contact, but Iraola has made it clear that in future he will instruct the striker to do so in such circumstances.
Asked about penalty appeals by Sky Sports, Iraola said: “Alex especially. (Cody) Gakpo held his own, I understand. Alex’s is a clear penalty.
“You grab the jersey, we all see him grab the jersey. Because it doesn’t go to the ground, you’re not going to score the penalty. I don’t understand it.
“That’s the problem we have with the game. Because it doesn’t dive and go to the ground. The fact that you even ask me if it should go to the ground, if it goes to the ground, they say the penalty 100%.
“It shouldn’t be like that, but it is what it is. Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor or they won’t call it.”
Pressed on whether he will tell Isak to come down, Iraola replied, “Yes, definitely.”
