Mikel Arteta celebrated his sixth anniversary as Arsenal manager from the pinnacle of the Premier League after his side displayed the necessary grit to overcome a stubborn Everton at Goodison Park. A solitary, emphatic first-half penalty from Viktor Gyökeres secured a 1-0 victory, a result that immediately returned the Gunners to the summit following Manchester City's brief occupation earlier in the day.
A Turgid Start and a Decisive Moment
The match was desperately short of quality in a forgettable opening half-hour, with the most notable incident being unsavoury chants from the away section. The game, however, sparked into life through a moment of madness from Everton defender Jake O'Brien. After initially escaping a penalty shout for a challenge on Gyökeres, the Irish centre-back was punished minutes later.
From the resulting corner, under pressure from Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, O'Brien clearly handled the ball. Referee Sam Barrott was advised to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor and had little choice but to point to the spot. Viktor Gyökeres stepped up and blasted an unstoppable penalty past Jordan Pickford, who guessed correctly but could not keep it out.
Arsenal's Control and Everton's Struggles
Thereafter, Arsenal assumed control through the midfield composure of Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi, though they created few clear chances before the break. Everton, severely hampered by the absence of the injured Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and the AFCON-bound Iliman Ndiaye, offered almost nothing in attack, with replacements Carlos Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil unable to provide the same creative spark.
The second half saw a marked increase in intensity. Arsenal came close to doubling their lead on several occasions. Bukayo Saka saw a low shot heroically blocked on the line by James Tarkowski, before Leandro Trossard and Martín Zubimendi each struck the same post in a frantic four-minute spell.
Late Everton Appeals and Arsenal's Resolve
Everton's performance improved, but their best route back into the game appeared to be through penalty appeals. They had two strong shouts, first when Thierno Barry went down under a Zubimendi challenge, and more convincingly when William Saliba kicked Barry's foot in the area after the Everton striker had played the ball. On both occasions, however, the VAR officials deemed there was insufficient contact to overturn the on-field decisions.
In the end, Arsenal's defence, marshalled superbly by Saliba, held firm to secure a valuable and hard-fought away victory. This was a test of character for Arteta's men after a run of three winless league games on the road, and they passed it, albeit without their most fluent football. The win ensures they will sit top at Christmas, but the manager will be acutely aware that more convincing displays will be required to stay there come May.
