Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit after a narrow 1-0 win over Everton, secured by Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The result moved Arsenal back above Manchester
City, who had briefly gone top earlier following a 3-0 victory over West Ham.
The three points guaranteed Arsenal first place on Christmas Day, underlining the importance of the win in a tight title race. Manchester City’s earlier result increased the pressure, yet Arsenal’s players delivered a controlled performance, limiting Everton’s threat while creating enough chances to justify the final scoreline.
Mikel Arteta stressed that Arsenal’s approach stayed unchanged despite Manchester City’s temporary rise. Arsenal stepped onto the pitch knowing victory was needed to reclaim top spot, yet the head coach underlined that the squad concentrated only on their own display, not developments at Etihad Stadium earlier in the day.
"We are not looking at that, he said.The only thing we can control is our own performance and results, and we know how long it's going to be and how tough this league is. That's it. Enjoy every day. Do your best and see what we're going to get. [We are] very happy to win here. It's a really difficult place to come. "
Arteta’s team showed that control in an opening half where possession was dominant rather than dangerous. Arsenal moved the ball with patience, without creating many clear chances before the decisive spot-kick. Gyokeres converted calmly, giving the visitors a lead that shaped Everton’s approach and forced the hosts to chase the match.
Taking all three points back to N5pic.twitter.com/yJZTdyozYbArsenal (@Arsenal) December 20, 2025
After the break, Arsenal created several opportunities to extend the advantage. Arteta’s side produced three major openings in the second half, but each chance went unused. Those missed moments kept the contest tense until the final whistle, even though Everton rarely tested Arsenal’s defence from open play.
"You need to enjoy the process of winning and that's going to be hard moments, difficult moments, great moments. That's all part of that intention and how close we are to winning, and that's why we have to enjoy and take it game by game. "
Everton, meanwhile, slipped to a second straight league defeat, following a 2-0 loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the previous weekend. The attacking output again fell short, with limited creativity in the final third despite spells of disciplined defending and periods where the hosts matched Arsenal’s intensity without turning pressure into shots.
Arsenal vs Everton Premier League Everton struggles and Moyes response
David Moyes’ team managed just one effort on target from an expected goals value of 0.2. Everton failed to register any shot at all in the first half, marking only the second time since the 2003-04 season that they ended the opening period of a Premier League home match without an attempt.
"You can play as well as you like and do good things, but we need to get some goals, rued head coach David Moyes.We've not had goals in the last two games, which is the bit that's been missing really. We did a lot of things;the players' effort, the spirit. Everything you'd want them to do, they did tonight. It was just a bit of quality or trying to hurt Arsenal a bit more. Arsenal have given up very few chances, and we just didn't get enough opportunitiestonight. I thought we started the game well. I don't think we were under a great deal of pressure until the penalty kick. I think after the penalty kick, we were rocked a little bit. I think in the second half, we had to make the game more open, we had to be more committed than we'd been. We tried to get forward a bit more and quicker, but it also allowed Arsenal to have one or two brilliant passing moves. I thought we stuck at it, never gave in, we were always in the game right to the end. Credit to the players. "
Moyes highlighted Everton’s work rate and structure, especially before the penalty. The need to chase the game after Gyokeres scored opened spaces for Arsenal’s passing moves, yet Everton stayed competitive until the closing stages. Arsenal, however, maintained composure, protected the lead, and secured a result that keeps the title challenge firmly on track.
