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 Pictures
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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 persistence, management and defensive self-discipline.
Gyökeres ended his 5 recreation purpose drought on 27 minutes, smashing residence 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.
Photograph by Alex Livesey/Getty Pictures
Arsenal dominated the opening interval and restricted the hosts to no photographs on the right track earlier than the interval, however have 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 underneath a problem from William Saliba, just for VAR to uphold the on area choice and deny the house aspect a penalty.
After the match, Mikel Arteta admitted his aspect ought to have made the competition extra snug, however praised their authority and organisation at a troublesome venue.
“[We’re] very glad,” he stated. “We put in a really strong efficiency. It’s a really troublesome place to return towards a group which can be very organised.
Photograph by Matt McNulty/Getty Pictures
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