• Premier League

Ten statistics reveal the depth of Arsenal's humiliation

Martin Skrtel celebrates scoring Liverpool's first goal in the first minute © Getty Images

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It was supposed to be the game in which Arsenal proved they were strong title contenders, when they demonstrated they had staying power.

Instead, Arsene Wenger's team were humiliated 5-1 by Liverpool at Anfield, heading back to London chastened and with enough unwanted statistics to keep their heads bowed and fans of Brendan Rodgers' side crowing.

After two goals apiece from Martin Skrtel and Raheem Sterling and one from Daniel Sturridge, only Mikel Arteta replied for Arsenal. Here are the 10 stats which tell the story of a momentous match:

1. Arsenal's embarrassingly big defeats in those two games (today's against Liverpool and at City) means that 42% of the goals they have conceded in the Premier League this season have come in two matches.

2. Arsenal have conceded a higher proportion of set-piece goals than any other premier League side this season: 43%.

3. It was a perfect stats storm in terms of set-pieces, too. Liverpool have scored 22 goals from set-pieces this season, more than any other team in the Premier League.

4. Liverpool scored four of their goals before the break to bring their first-half tally for the season to 40, which was at least 10 more than any other side.

5. It was clear early on this could be a bad day for Arsenal. Liverpool scored their first goal after just 52 seconds, the first time they have managed a first-minute goal in a Premier League home game since December 1996 (Robbie Fowler scoring in a 5-1 win against Middlesbrough).

6. Liverpool's 63 goals after 25 Premier League matches is the most goals scored by the club at this stage in top-flight history.

7. Liverpool fans will hope this win is an indication that their team are still title contenders but they are not about to break any goalscoring records. Manchester City are currently converting at a rate of 3.50 goals per game in the Premier League on average and Chelsea's record is 3.58 per game from 2009-10.

8. There were a couple of crumbs of comfort for Arsenal. Manchester United were beaten 5-0 by both Newcastle in 1996-97 and Chelsea in 1999-2000 but still went on to win the title.

9. Arsenal's defeat is also some way short of the biggest reverse suffered by a team leading the Premier League: Norwich went down 7-1 at home against Blackburn in October 1992.

10. It's not the biggest winning margin between two top-four teams in the Premier League era either. That came in August 2011 when Manchester United thrashed Arsenal 8-2.

* Please note: Statistics correct before matches kicking-off at 3pm today

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