Mikel Arteta can toast his sixth anniversary as Arsenal manager from the Premier League summit after his team responded to Manchester City’s challenge with a slender yet merited win at Everton. The Christmas No 1 spot is secure, though Arteta will know more convincing performances are required to hold on until the final reckoning.
Viktor Gyökeres’ emphatic first half penalty sealed a valuable away victory against an Everton team missing several important components. Arsenal’s display was more efficient than impressive, more resolute than domineering, but this was a test of character after three away games without a win in the league and having lost top spot for the first time since mid-October shortly before kick-off. Arteta’s side ensured City’s stay in first place would be brief.
There was nothing to report from a tedious opening to the game aside from the pathetic and frequent poverty chanting by the Arsenal away support. Fair play to whoever decided to display an advertisement for ‘Fans Supporting Foodbanks’ on the giant stadium screens in response.
Finally, and inexplicably, Jake O’Brien enlivened proceedings with a chaotic cameo. The Everton defender nudged Gyökeres over when the Arsenal striker appeared certain to convert a deflected Jurriën Timber cross almost on the goalline. Gyökeres immediately appealed for a penalty that the video assistant referee checked and rejected on the basis there was no foul. The striker had to be stronger when challenging for the cross.
