For the primary time since August, Arsenal kicked off a league match in second place, briefly overtaken earlier within the day after Manchester Metropolis beat West Ham United.
By the top of the night, the order had been restored.
Photograph by Alex Livesey/Getty Photographs
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A 1-0 victory over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium despatched Arsenal again to the highest of the Premier League for Christmas, with Viktor Gyökeres’ first half penalty proving decisive on an evening that demanded endurance, management and defensive self-discipline.
Gyökeres ended his 5 recreation purpose drought on 27 minutes, smashing house from the spot after Jake O’Brien dealt with Declan Rice’s nook.
The choice, awarded following a VAR overview, was a second of insanity from the Everton defender.
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Arsenal dominated the opening interval and restricted the hosts to no photographs on track earlier than the interval, however had been unable to show their management right into a second purpose.
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Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi each struck the woodwork within the second half, whereas Bukayo Saka noticed a detailed vary effort cleared off the road as Arsenal threatened to drag clear.
Everton’s sense of grievance deepened when Thierno Barry went down below a problem from William Saliba, just for VAR to uphold the on area choice and deny the house facet a penalty.
After the match, Mikel Arteta admitted his facet ought to have made the competition extra snug, however praised their authority and organisation at a troublesome venue.
“[We’re] very glad,” he . “We put in a really strong efficiency. It’s a really troublesome place to return in opposition to a group which can be very organised.
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“They will create very chaotic moments in the best way that they play, however I believe we managed it very well, scored the purpose and within the second half we talked about scoring the second.
“So, we went for it, had about three or 4 huge possibilities, hit the put up twice and doubtless the margin ought to have been greater. However sure, defensively, once more one other clear sheet. We haven’t conceded any possibilities all through the sport, so a optimistic night.”
Arteta additionally revealed that the choice over who would take the penalty was left to the gamers themselves.
“[I am] very glad. It’s a very necessary purpose to win the sport,” he added. “I really like that the gamers took possession to determine who the taker was going to be, and it labored, so choice general.”
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The win made it again to again Premier League victories following final weekend’s success in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and ensured Arsenal will sit prime at Christmas for the third time up to now 4 seasons.
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Arteta was eager to emphasize that his focus stays on outcomes relatively than Arsenal’s league place.
“We all know what number of video games we’ve in numerous competitions and what the margins are,” he mentioned. “So profitable all the time helps and now we’re prepared for Tuesday [against Crystal Palace].”
The evening additionally marked Arteta’s first go to to Everton’s new waterfront stadium, returning to face David Moyes, below whom he spent six and a half years as a participant on Merseyside between 2005 and 2011.
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“Sure, it’s unbelievable,” Arteta mentioned. “If I needed to choose a spot, most likely it will be this one. I take the chance as nicely to congratulate everyone at Everton and all of the individuals who have labored to construct this unimaginable stadium.
“I used to be shocked, I didn’t count on such a stupendous place and the environment that they created, so nicely performed to all of them.”
Arsenal now flip their consideration to Carabao Cup motion earlier than returning to league obligation subsequent weekend, with the data {that a} slender however managed win on Merseyside has as soon as once more positioned them in charge of the title race.