Mikel Arteta’s Christos Tzolis gamble pays off as Arsenal beat Liverpool

Arsenal’s Anfield breakthrough came with a selection gamble—and a defensive stand. Christos Tzolis, returning after a month out with a hamstring injury, started against Liverpool and played a key part in a 1-0 win that moved Arsenal clear at the top of the Premier League.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the first half, finishing after Noni Madueke and Declan Rice combined in a move that followed a misplaced pass from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Arsenal then had to absorb sustained pressure, but Liverpool could not find an equaliser.

Tzolis had not played since suffering the injury while on international duty with Greece. Mikel Arteta said the winger’s training energy convinced him he was ready, while revealing that Eberechi Eze had also been dealing with an injury concern and was fortunate to make the bench.

“It’s the energy that he had in training,” Arteta said of Tzolis. He praised Arsenal’s medical and performance staff, calling their work “incredible”, and said the club had taken risks before deciding the winger had done enough. Tzolis, Arteta added, did not want to come off and wanted to complete the game.

The gamble brought attacking moments as well as hard work: Tzolis forced Alisson into a low save and delivered a cross that nearly created another goal. But Arsenal’s bigger test was defending their narrow lead. Liverpool pressed and sent crosses into the box, yet the match report noted that David Raya was not forced into a save.

There was also a major flashpoint. Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt as the Liverpool striker tried to reach a cross, but no penalty was given after the incident was checked by VAR. Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright said his old club had “got away with it”; Daniel Sturridge described the pull as “clear and blatant”. The disagreement around the decision did not change the result, but it underlined how fine the margins were.

The victory carried extra weight after Arsenal’s midweek Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Fleetwood, where they were eliminated on penalties. Arteta recalled the frustration of going out after 27 shots, then said he believed the moment had come to lift his players before the trip to Anfield.

Arsenal did that with a goal, a risky return to the starting side for Tzolis and a disciplined rearguard effort. Their first Premier League win at Anfield since 2012 also put them at the summit, turning a difficult week into a statement result.