Days after the Fleetwood humiliation, Arsenal won at Anfield for the first time in 14 years and moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Nigerian-heritage star Bukayo Saka and a wonderfully diverse Arsenal squad now have a title charge that looks very real. The Gunners went to Anfield, a ground where they hadn't won in 14 years, and left with a result that moves them three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The win carries extra weight because of what came before it. Arsenal were hit by a painful defeat at League Two Fleetwood, the kind of result that sparks doubts about a team's mentality. Mikel Arteta's side answered in the best way possible, with a statement win in one of English football's most intimidating stadiums.
That is what contenders do. They absorb a bad night, regroup and come back sharper. Arsenal's group blends homegrown talent, diaspora heritage and international quality, and it looks increasingly united. The contributions are spread across the squad, and that depth is exactly what a title race demands.
A three-point cushion is still only a cushion, and the Premier League rarely lets leaders relax. But after more than a decade of Anfield frustration, Arsenal have broken the hoodoo and taken control of the table. For the African and diaspora fans cheering on Saka and company, the belief is growing.
