Liverpool spent significant periods on the back foot against its vibrant host, although Sadio Mane had a goal controversially ruled out for offside and Virgil van Dijk hit the post before captain James Milner clinically pounced on a Bernd Leno error after the hour.

Milner's landmark 50th Premier League goal would not prove decisive, however, as Lacazette latched onto substitute Alex Iwobi's pass, drew Alisson from his goal and finished sublimely.

Jurgen Klopp's side go back to the top of the table for now but will be two points behind Manchester City if the champion beats lowly Southampton on Monday (AEDT), while Chelsea can also go above it with three points against Crystal Palace.

Joe Gomez's last-ditch challenge deflected Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's 14th-minute shot behind, while Sadio Mane was flagged offside at the other end when he tapped in after Roberto Firmino hit the post.

A combination of Bernd Leno and Shkodran Mustafi prevented Van Dijk from giving Liverpool a 23rd-minute lead when the centre-back stayed forward after a set-piece.

The frantic end-to-end feel continued, with Aubameyang dragging off target from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's backheel, before Mesut Ozil produced an impudent flick of his own from Granit Xhaka's chipped 39th-minute pass for Alexandre Lacazette to fire wide.

Replicating Alisson's earlier dart from his goal to disrupt a Mkhitaryan aerial attempt, Leno charged haphazardly into Van Dijk in first-half stoppage time and was relieved to see the defender's header bounce to safety off the upright.

Mkhitaryan passed up a couple of shooting opportunities as Arsenal resumed on top but Milner broke the deadlock, smashing home when Leno's fumble from Mane's cross deflected into his path off Rob Holding.

Leno partly atoned for that error by pushing over Van Dijk's 74th-minute header, by which stage Arsenal's earlier poise and threat looked to have dissipated. Lacazette had other ideas eight minutes from time.

Other Premier League results: 

Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester United

Newcastle 1-0 Watford

Everton 3-1 Brighton

West Ham 4-2 Burnley

Cardiff 0-1 Leicester