Arsenal beat Everton 1–0 away from home, reclaimed the Premier League lead and sent a clear message in the title race. It wasn’t a flashy game, there was no wide scoreline or flawless performance, but it had what matters most at this stage of the season: control, maturity and three points under maximum pressure. Arsenal did enough to win, held firm when needed and reached Christmas back on top of the table, two points ahead of Manchester City.
The goal that decided the match came in the first half, a penalty converted by Viktor Gyökeres after Jake O’Brien handled the ball inside the box. The strike, firm and accurate, was the Swede’s seventh goal in an Arsenal shirt and summed up the game well: efficiency at the key moment. On a weekend when City had played earlier and briefly moved into first place, Arsenal responded quietly but with authority.
A game under control, even without a comfortable scoreline
The start was subdued, with the opening 15 minutes passing without major scares. Gradually, Arsenal settled into the attacking half and began to show warning signs. Zubimendi took advantage of a poor clearance by Michael Keane and fired over. Gyökeres then glanced a header just wide. There was also a controversial moment when the Swedish forward went down in the box after an aerial challenge, but VAR waved play on.
Soon after, from a corner kick, the officials were called into action again. The ball initially seemed to have come off Riccardo Calafiori, but replays showed O’Brien inexplicably pushing it away with both hands inside the area. After a lengthy review, the penalty was given. Gyökeres stepped up calmly and left Pickford with no chance.
From there, Arsenal managed the lead without losing their shape. They enjoyed more possession, created other good chances and didn’t allow Everton to grow into the game in any consistent way. Declan Rice tried his luck from outside the box, Gyökeres nearly scored again after a sharp pass from Saliba, but Tarkowski stepped in to cut it out just before halftime.
Posts, VAR and maturity to hold the lead
The second half followed the same pattern. Arsenal stayed on the front foot and came close to extending the lead. Shortly after the restart, Tarkowski made a crucial goal line clearance to deny Bukayo Saka after a well worked move involving Jurrien Timber. Everton answered with an isolated chance when Thierno Barry went one on one, but Zubimendi tracked back to clear the danger. VAR also checked a possible foul by Saliba on Barry during a challenge in the box, but once again the decision went in Arsenal’s favor.
The narrow margin kept the game alive, and Arsenal hit the post twice in quick succession.
In the closing stages, Arsenal managed the stoppage time well, something that had been an issue in recent matches. The night also reinforced Gyökeres’ reliability from the spot. Since the start of the 2023–24 season, still with Sporting, he has converted all 19 penalties he has taken in league competitions. Against Everton, one was enough. In such a tight title race, winning like this away from home, quietly and with precision, can be just as valuable as a rout.