With goals from Martin Odegaard and Daiki Hashioka in the first half, the hosts had a pleasant evening and went one point clear of Liverpool in the close three-way fight for the crown. Third position Liverpool can take the lead back when it faces Sheffield United, who are now in last place, on Thursday. Manchester City, on the other hand, remained one point behind Arsenal after defeating Aston Villa 4-1 on Wednesday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta used the matchup against a team in the relegation zone as an opportunity to rotate his squad, making five changes from the lineup that played Man City to a scoreless draw on Sunday. Bukayo Saka was knocked out at the Etihad Stadium and was taken out of the starting lineup entirely. Emile Smith Rowe earned a midfield position and found Odegaard, who passed to Kai Havertz and then sent a low effort inside the near post to give Arsenal the lead.