Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted being at the top of the table again at Christmas gave him the belief and confidence to finally turn that advantage into success.
For the third time in the last four years and the fifth time in the history of the competition, the Gunners are leading the Premier League on December 25 but are yet to convert that into a win.
Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty gave them a 1-0 win over Everton, reclaiming the lead from Manchester City, who had overtaken them earlier in the day.
“It gives me belief and confidence, the level of performance and consistency,” Arteta said.
“It means the team is there consistently because that’s very difficult to do in this league.
“We enjoy the process of winning. You have to go to difficult places and have difficult moments. We have already done a lot of the work and got there.”
Arteta on Gyocerres receiving a penalty: ‘Great decision’
Gyokeres’ first goal in six games was handed to him largely by an inexplicable handball from Jake O’Brien, after which captain Martin Odegaard picked him off instead of Bukayo Saka.
Arteta is happy for his players to take responsibility for their on-field decisions.
“It’s a great decision. I’m very happy for him,” he added.
Arsenal’s Victor Gyokeres celebrates scoring a penalty kick.
“They had possession between Martin, Bukayo and the pitch and decided who was the taker and he put the ball in the net.
“I like the players to take ownership and make their own decisions.
“(It) showed the confidence of a player who practices every day and is unbelievable.”
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal.
‘Kyokere with physical difficulties’
Jamie Redknapp claimed that Victor Gyoceres It should not be physically difficult. arsenal To the extent that he follows summer’s arrival.
Gyokeres scored his fifth Premeir League goal of the season to help the Gunners to victory. everton A 1-0 win sent his side back to the top of the Premier League, but they continued to struggle from open play and relied on penalties to score their goals.
“He (Gyokeres) was fine. He’s having a hard time now. It’s his fifth goal this season. He played in the English league before, so it wouldn’t be possible, but he’s struggling physically because he’s so big.”
“I’ve never seen him win a duel. In terms of his finesse and getting others into the game, it’s not good enough. He’s finding it difficult. He needs a bit of confidence.
“He will never be Bergkamp. He is a battering ram who will score goals, create big moments and win games. He won games, but he won them on penalties. You want to see him win games with really important goals that will make a difference.
“It’s okay for now. I don’t think I can tell you any more than that.”
Analysis: A step in the right direction under Kyokere’s attack?
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It was a big goal for Arsenal and Victor Gyoqueres scored from a penalty awarded after Everton’s Jake O’Brien handled him in the box.
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
Much of the pre-match conversation revolved around Victor Gyokeres’ next move. The Swedish striker is yet to reach his level under pressure from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz, who are returning from injury.
In the recent game against Everton, where he scored a first-half penalty winner, there were fewer question marks and a step in the right direction.
The goal was positive, but there were other moments as well. There were many rumors that his Arsenal team-mates had not noticed his goal, but William Saliba had a great chance through him in the first half.
In the second period, Leandro Trossard sent him down the left of his trademark channel and slotted through two Everton defenders. It was much closer to being the ‘striking’ forward the Premier League had promised him to be, and his three shots on target on Merseyside were more than the 180 minutes he had previously logged in the Premier League for Arsenal.
Arsenal’s players recognized the need to give him a goal and the penalty summed it up. It was reminiscent of October 2023, when the Gunners’ regular penalty takers gave up a spot-kick to allow Kai Havertz to score his first goal for Arsenal.
The German scored 13 goals that season as Arsenal came within two points of winning the title. Gyokeres now has five. But crucially, there appears to have been a better understanding with his team.
Moyes: We have seen punishment for this.
A Gyoceres penalty decided the match, but the home side had a valid claim for a spot-kick in the second half when William Saliba was seen kicking down Thierno Barry, but VAR ruled that no foul had been committed.
Everton manager David Moyes responded in a diplomatic manner.
“I’m not sure. I looked at it again, and I think they said there was a lack of contact,” he said.
“We saw it given if you kicked someone’s foot or Achilles tendon, you probably saw it and it could have been given but you felt it wasn’t enough because VAR didn’t send him to the screen.”
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Arsenal defender William Saliba’s challenge on Everton’s Tierno Barry was ruled out for a possible penalty.
Moyes was left to rue O’Brien’s moment of madness after the defender threw his arms in the air from a corner.
“I’m disappointed with the goal we gave away. We gave away a stupid penalty,” he added.
“If you think about it, we pushed Arsenal. If they had scored a great goal we could have raised our hands, but they didn’t. It was a bad decision on our part.”
“Overall I thought we fought incredibly hard to get something from the game and challenged Arsenal for a long time.
“You can’t say the players aren’t committed or determined. In that respect they’ve been fantastic. In terms of quality you might ask questions.”
