Arsenal draw level with Manchester City after beating Everton

Arsenal moved level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Everton. Konsa opened the scoring in the early moments from a corner, before Gabriel made sure of the victory in the second half. The goals revived Arsenal’s effectiveness from set pieces, an area that had been one of the team’s main strengths.

Last season, Arsenal scored 25 goals from set pieces, excluding penalties. This season, the team had yet to score in that way before this match. The win over Everton therefore brought back a weapon that had been an important part of its play.

The opening goal followed a Gabriel header that struck the crossbar. Konsa reacted and finished from close range after Everton failed to clear the ball. Gabriel then extended the lead midway through the second half.

Arsenal had struggled to get going in matches after the break, giving the early breakthrough added significance. The team then allowed Everton a little more of the initiative. The second half began in scrappy fashion, and the Emirates crowd was concerned when Gabriel stayed down after trying to intercept a cross and called for medical attention.

Arteta brought on Zubimendi, who finished with a broken nose, and the young Dowman to close out the game. Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to revive Everton in the closing minutes, getting ahead of Konsa and Gabriel to head in a Garner cross.

Arsenal nevertheless kept a clean sheet, its fifth in this Premier League campaign. The club drew level with Manchester City, who remain ahead on goal difference (+3). Bukayo Saka’s thigh injury, which could keep him out until mid-December, was another feature of the match, The Guardian reported. The publication said Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice both started again.