Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has backed Arsenal to retain the Premier League title after their impressive 1-0 victory at Anfield on Sunday.
Speaking on The Overlap on Monday, the former England midfielder praised Arsenal’s defensive performance and explained why their ability to win difficult away matches could prove decisive in the title race.
Kai Havertz scored the winning goal from Declan Rice’s first-half cross as Arsenal secured their first Premier League victory at Anfield since September 2012.
The result returned the Gunners to the top of the table, three points ahead of Manchester City and nine clear of Liverpool.
Gerrard believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s side demonstrated the resilience required to win championships, despite producing relatively little attacking football.
“I thought it was a really professional performance,” Gerrard said. “I don’t think it was a wonderful free-flowing type of Arsenal performance, which we’ve seen in terms of quality and all the quality players they’ve got.”
However, the former Liverpool captain insisted that Arsenal’s defensive organisation was more important than their attacking display.
He praised the visitors for restricting Liverpool’s opportunities and executing their game plan against difficult opponents.
Gerrard also highlighted Rice’s excellent delivery for Havertz’s winner, particularly the pace and precision of the cross.
He acknowledged that Arsenal created few other meaningful opportunities but argued that Arteta would have little reason to be concerned.
The 45-year-old compared Arsenal’s performance to the Chelsea teams managed by Jose Mourinho, who were renowned for their defensive resilience and ability to protect narrow leads.
“They’re such a difficult team to beat. They can beat you in different ways,” Gerrard explained.
He suggested that Arsenal’s combination of aggression, organisation and attacking efficiency made them particularly difficult opponents once they established a lead.
Gerrard also emphasised the importance of the victory in the title race, with Liverpool now facing a considerably greater deficit.
More significantly, he reiterated his belief that Arsenal would finish the season as champions.
“That’s how you win leagues, going to places like Liverpool, being strong, sticking together and posting a different type of performance,” he said.
“If they win the league, which I think they will, I haven’t changed my mind from the beginning of the season.”
Gerrard believes Arsenal could eventually regard the Anfield victory as more significant than comfortable wins achieved through dominant attacking performances.
The result also represented an important response to Arsenal’s disappointing Carabao Cup elimination against Fleetwood Town last week.
For Gerrard, the Gunners’ ability to secure difficult away victories could ultimately prove decisive in their pursuit of another Premier League crown.