Mikel Arteta received the perfect six-year anniversary gift as Arsenal manager as his side climbed back to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a depleted Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday 20th December 2025.
A Gift-Wrapped Winner for Gyokeres
The decisive moment in a largely forgettable contest arrived from the penalty spot, handed to Arsenal by Everton defender Jake O'Brien's needless handball. The Irishman's aberration, preventing Riccardo Calafiori's header, was punished by striker Viktor Gyokeres, who fired home his first goal in six games. The Swede, who had scored 19 out of 19 league penalties since joining Sporting CP, was entrusted with the duty and made no mistake, ending his personal drought.
For Gyokeres, it was an early Christmas present, but his overall performance offered few signs of an imminent goalscoring burst. He was industrious yet largely contained during his 65 minutes on the pitch, which also included a booking for kicking the ball away. Arsenal had created little before the penalty, with Everton's defence, marshalled by James Tarkowski, proving stubborn.
Everton's Creative Void Proves Costly
The home side's task was made immensely harder by significant absences. Manager David Moyes was missing three-fifths of his preferred midfield, with injuries and the African Cup of Nations depleting his creative core. Key players Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye were both absent, leaving Everton with a glaring lack of invention.
This impotence was starkly illustrated by a 30-minute spell in the first half where Everton failed to touch the ball in the Arsenal penalty area. Their best hope for an equaliser appeared to be a second penalty appeal, with William Saliba escaping punishment after a challenge on Thierno Barry. Barry, like fellow striker Beto who replaced him, was ineffectual, highlighting Everton's chronic striking issues. The contrast was sharpened as former Toffee Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice for Leeds United in the same evening.
Arsenal Exert Control After the Break
After a tepid first half, Arsenal emerged with more purpose after the interval and were unlucky not to extend their lead. Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both struck the woodwork, while Bukayo Saka had a shot cleared off the line by Tarkowski. These near-misses were signs of a game opening up, but Everton, organising themselves obdurately in midfield with Tim Iroegbunam detailed to mark Declan Rice, struggled to build any sustained pressure.
For Arsenal's defensive unit, it was a relatively comfortable afternoon, securing yet another clean sheet. The victory continued a remarkable record: Arsenal have not lost a Premier League away game they led at half-time since a defeat at Goodison Park four years ago under Rafa Benitez.
Familiar Summit for Arteta's Gunners
The three points ensured Arsenal's stint off the summit lasted a mere five hours, as they leapfrogged Manchester City once more. For Arteta, who spent six years as an Everton player under David Moyes, it was a victory that borrowed from his mentor's pragmatic playbook. However, the Spaniard knows from bitter experience that being Christmas number one is no guarantee of the title in May.
While one Merseyside versus North London clash this season—Tottenham against Liverpool—provided explosive entertainment, this was a more subdued, strategic affair. Arsenal, with superior quality and control, did what was required. The hard part, as Arteta is acutely aware, is maintaining this position after all 38 games are complete.
