1. Responding Like Title Contenders
After Manchester City had briefly moved above Arsenal earlier in the day, this was a test of nerve as much as quality. Away from home, under pressure, and with the table situation clear, Arsenal did what they had to do. It wasn’t pretty, but regaining top spot with three points is exactly the kind of response needed to win the league.
2. A Penalty, a Moment of Madness, and a Confidence Boost
The breakthrough came from an unlikely moment of chaos. Jake O’Brien’s inexplicable handball handed Arsenal a lifeline, and the decision to give Viktor Gyökeres the penalty felt significant. With confidence clearly a factor, the Swede stepped up and delivered emphatically. Power, conviction, no doubts. For a striker still finding his feet, that moment mattered.
3. Arsenal’s Finishing Still a Concern
Despite the win, Arsenal should have been out of sight. Trossard hit the post from close range, Zubimendi rattled the woodwork, and Saka saw an effort blocked when he might have taken an extra touch. These were the kind of chances that turn tense 1–0s into comfortable afternoons — and their absence kept Everton hanging around.
4. Gyökeres: Goal Scorer, But Still Searching
The goal will help, but Gyökeres’ overall display raised questions. His involvement in general play was limited, combinations didn’t quite click, and he struggled in physical duels. A low-touch striker can still dominate a game, but right now Arsenal aren’t consistently finding ways to bring him into dangerous areas — and he isn’t yet forcing the issue himself.
5. Game Management Was Better… But Still Nervy
Unlike the Wolves match, Arsenal eventually wrestled control back after threatening to sink into a passive shell. Nearly 70% possession late on helped kill the game, and Everton never truly looked like scoring. Still, given recent late concessions, it’s understandable that fans weren’t fully at ease until the final whistle. The control was improved — the comfort level, not quite.
Final Thought:
This wasn’t a statement win, but it was a valuable one. Arsenal returned to the top of the table, ended a run of winless away games, and showed just enough composure to get the job done. With tougher tests ahead, sharpening the attack feels like the next — and necessary — step.
