Three things we learned after Arsenal edge past Everton to reclaim top spot

Three things we learned after Arsenal edge past Everton to reclaim top spot

Arsenal weren't at their best in their 1-0 win over Everton, but it was enough to reclaim top spot in the Premier League. Here are three things we learned from the game.

Arsenal went into their clash with Everton at the Hill Dickinson on Saturday (December 20) in second for the first time since matchday six. Just like the win over Wolves last time out, it wasn’t pretty, but they managed to secure the win and leapfrog Man City back into top spot.

Only Jake O’Brien will know what was running through his mind when he decided to give volleyball a go, gifting Arsenal a penalty, which struggling striker Viktor Gyokeres expertly scored, to give them the lead.

Mikel Arteta’s side were more than happy to take that one goal lead and sit on it, but it could have been an entirely different story should Everton have been awarded what was seemingly a blatant penalty following William Saliba’s tackle on Thierno Barry.

Still, they managed to pick up all three points, and a couple of late chances made the numbers look a little sexier.

It was, overall, another uninspiring performance from Arsenal, but the home fans will doubtless be happy to see their number 14 get a goal, even if it was a penalty. It’s his last five games and his sixth in 19 across all competitions.

Other than the goal, it was a strong if unremarkable performance from the striker. Gyokeres was hooked off in the 65th minute, replaced by Gabriel Jesus, having had seven touches in the opposition box, created one chance, and failing to complete any of his two attempted dribbles.

It feels like we’ve been waiting for an eternity for Gyokeres to start firing on a consistent basis. It’s unlikely this will be much of a catalyst, but it will at least give the fans some hope that the Sweden international can still prove to be a good signing.

It was an uncharacteristically shaky performance from the Frenchman. Saliba is arguably the best centre-back in the league, but zero duels won, zero tackles made, being dispossessed once isn’t at his usual standards.

The defining moment of his game came in the 57th minute when his outstretched leg clearly caught Everton striker Barry as they both went for the ball. Barry got to it first, and Saliba kicked his foot. On another day, it would have probably been given.

VAR looked at it and deemed the contact to be insufficient. Saliba will likely be thanking his lucky stars he wasn’t responsible for potentially seeing Man City lead the Premier League at Christmas.0

He’s top quality though, we’re sure he’ll be putting in the level of performances we’re used to again soon.

They might not be as comfortable as they were a few weeks ago, but the psychological impact of being top at Christmas shouldn’t be underestimated. For followers of English football, it still remains a meaningful marker.

Injuries have certainly played their part in this slight downturn in form. Piero Hincapie has done a good job filling in for Gabriel, but the Brazilian is on a different level, and the leadership he brings on the pitch has been a huge miss.

Arsenal remain favourites for the title, every side is going to have a rough patch, as is the nature of the Premier League. Bottling it from this point could prove to be the undoing of Arteta.