Arsenal’s victory over Everton means the Gunners have now topped the table at Christmas for the fifth time
Arsenal’s stranglehold of the Premier League top spot has now surpassed the 11-week mark. While Manchester City did occupy first place for a few hours after their 3-0 victory over West Ham, it was the Gunners who ended the week top, thanks to their narrow 1-0 win away at Everton.
The three points mean they remain two points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side and have now clinched top spot at Christmas for the fifth time, but they have failed to win the title in those four previous occasions.
It was Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty that was the difference at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but the striker still came in for criticism despite his winner. With the Gunners able to enjoy the festive period on top, Mirror Football takes a look at Gyokeres’ spot-kick explanation while dissecting Bukayo Saka’s full-time confession.
Gyokeres’ penalty explanation
While the three points were the most important outcome for Arsenal on Saturday evening, Gyokeres ending his five-game goal drought was certainly an added bonus. In what marked his fifth league goal of the season, following Jake O’Brien’s handball of Declan Rice’s corner, the Swede kept up his 100 per cent record from the spot as an Arsenal player.
Given that the Gunners have shared penalty duties in recent seasons, with Saka netting two spot-kicks this term and Martin Odegaard scoring three penalties in the last three seasons, Gyokeres explained the decision that led to him taking on the task against Jordan Pickford.
READ MORE: David Moyes pays ultimate Declan Rice tribute but refuses to take credit for star’s riseREAD MORE: David Moyes furious after Arsenal VAR penalty controversy – ‘I’d probably be fined!’
The 27-year-old said after full-time: “It was a tough win away from home, but we took the three points and it was nice to score a goal. We spoke a little bit on the pitch. It was an easy talk and then I took it. To be fair, a few months ago I took one, and it was nice to take one again and to score.
“We don’t think about it too much, we just wait for the decision. Then you know it’s a penalty and you just wait for the normal procedure. Nothing special, really.”
Saka’s ‘tough’ admission
Facing any David Moyes team is more often than not a stern test of your credentials and one that the Gunners dealt with admirably. With only Gyokeres’ penalty separating the two sides, Arsenal had just two shots on target, which was one more than the home side.
The defensive toughness of the Toffees made the Gunners work hard for all three points, and the effort it took to take maximum points in Merseyside wasn’t lost on Saka. Speaking via Premier League Productions, the England star praised Everton‘s strategy as he said: “Everton made it really tough.
“It was also on us for not killing off the game in certain moments. They have a good structure with a good intensity. Their players are so passionate, which made it so hard. There weren’t really any emotions in it, we take them out.
“We focus on our job. Since last week we focused on winning here and we did that today We are back on top of the table but we aren’t watching City too hard. We know if we win every week we will stay there. We are in control.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
