Arsenal again rode their luck to a win, riding an unusual penalty to a 1-0 win over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday,
MORE — What’s failing Arsenal’s attack? | Mikel Arteta reaction
A week after beating basement-dwelling Wolves on the power of a pair of own goals, Arsenal needed a penalty conceded in comical fashion to get Viktor Gyokeres to the spot for a decisive goal.
WATCH — Everton v Arsenal full match replay
Jake O’Brien’s flagrant, two arms directly raised handball accounted for the decision, and Gyokeres’ powerful penalty gave him his first Premier League goal since November and Arsenal its place atop the table.
Gunners flailing finishers a big concern
They don’t ask how, they ask how many. That’s a maxim shared by winners rather often, but it truly feels like the how is going to stop Arsenal from gathering the many points they’ll need to claim the Premier League title. Yes, the Gunners can defend really well but on another day could’ve been level and leaving with just a point if the referee had awarded Thierno Barry a penalty for William Saliba’s wayward clearing attempt in the box. Arsenal have spent so much money and they’ve now won their last two games via a pair of very strange own goals — against the 20th-place team in the Premier League — and a mind-blowing handball that led to their penalty attempt on Saturday. And this was against an Everton team missing Iliman Ndiaye to AFCON and starting a Jack Grealish who may not quite be at 100% after a recent knock. Arsenal may still win the league but they need to ask themselves if their attacking performances will be enough against anyone of top-four merit. The next three points they take from a bonafide top-four contender will be their first of the season.
What’s next?
Arsenal host Crystal Palace on Tuesday in a League Cup quarterfinal, then stay at the Emirates Stadium for two Premier League matches in four days as Brighton visit at 10am ET Saturday and Aston Villa arrive at 3:15pm on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Everton play those same days and both are away from home — at Burnley on Saturday and at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Everton vs Arsenal final score: 0-1
Viktor Gyokeres pen 27'
Everton vs Arsenal live updates
Subs for both
Beto takes off Barry for Everton.
Gabriel Jesus replaces Gyokeres for the Gunners.
Still 1-0 to Arsenal now into the 66th minute.
Oh, this had to be 2-0
Declan Rice drives centrally and O’Brien leaves his flank — and Leandro Trossard — all alone.
Rice spots Trossard and this is a purpose-built game-ender... only for Trossard to crank the far post.
Arsenal dodge penalty
There’s a 50:50 between Thierno Barry and William Saliba inside the 18.
Barry gets his foot to the ball and Saliba kicks the back of Barry’s calf.
We’ve seen it called before but we won’t see it called here.
Still 1-0 Arsenal now into the 61st minute.
Halftime — Everton 0-1 Arsenal
Wouldn’t call it a thriller, that’s for sure.
Arsenal have all of the game’s six shots, and Everton hasn’t offered much besides defense.
O’Brien’s comical penalty concession is the difference at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Viktor Gyokeres penalty goal — Everton 0-1 Arsenal
Clinical, laser of a penalty into the back of the net.
Jordan Pickford went the right way and still didn’t sniff it.
Arsenal penalty
The Toffees had dodged a penalty shout when Jake O’Brien pushed down a stooping Viktor Gyokeres but this one’s not even a question mark.
O’Brien has both hands raised straight up when he leaps to block a cross and it catches his hand.
How it’s not seen in real time is one thing, but O’Brien didn’t stand a chance via VAR.
Toffees playing it safe
This is a more Moyesian first 15 or so minutes, as most of Everton are defending deep against their would-be table-topping visitors.
Everton lineup
Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Alcaraz, Grealish, Barry
Arsenal lineup
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Everton vs Arsenal preview
The Gunners were not convincing but picked up three points at home to Wolves on Saturday, a week after playing well but falling 2-1 to red-hot Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Arsenal manager Arteta made over 200 appearances for Everton between 2005-2011, all of them under the watch of Moyes during the Everton boss’ first stint with the Toffees.
Moyes doesn’t have a great record head-to-head against his former player, but there’s a silver lining. He’s 2W-2D-6L against Arsenal as West Ham boss, but did draw the Gunners 1-1 at Goodison Park last season.
And this Everton is much better than recent editions, winners of four of their last five Premier League matches before a 2-0 loss at Chelsea on Saturday. Their 24 points are just two off of fifth place and 12 back of their table-topping Saturday afternoon hosts.
Everton team news, focus
OUT: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (hamstring), Idrissa Gana Gueye (international duty - AFCON), Iliman Ndiaye (international duty - AFCON), Seamus Coleman (unspecified), Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring)
Arsenal team news, focus
QUESTIONABLE: Max Dowman (ankle), Ben White (hamstring) Cristhian Mosquera (ankle - MORE), Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh - MORE), Kai Havertz (knee - MORE)
Everton vs Arsenal prediction
The Toffees are a tough group, but won’t have Iliman Ndiaye (AFCON) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (injury). They’ll need other attackers to step up alongside Jack Grealish if they wish to take down the Gunners’ beleaguered back line. Arsenal are, however, due for an explosive attacking day. Everton 1-3 Arsenal.
How to watch Everton vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Saturday
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium — Vauxhall, Liverpool
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
