Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Everton, showing composure and resilience under pressure in the title race. With Manchester City briefly leapfrogging them in the table, Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a controlled performance to return to the summit.

The decisive moment arrived in the 27th minute when VAR intervened to award Arsenal a penalty for a handball by Jake O’Brien. Viktor Gyökeres stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, ending his five-game goal drought and sending the Emirates into celebration.

The Gunners pushed for a second goal after the break and came agonisingly close on several occasions. Efforts from Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both struck the post, while Bukayo Saka saw his attempt dramatically cleared off the line in a breathless spell of pressure.

Arsenal also felt they had a strong case for another penalty late on, but the referee remained unmoved, adding to the tension in the closing minutes. Despite Everton’s late resistance, the hosts managed the game expertly to see out a vital win.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Everton - Arsenal 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Gyökeres, 27 (penalty) (0:1)

Everton: Pickford; Keane M.; Tarkowski; O´Brien; Mykolenko; Grealish; Alcaraz C. (Röhl, 76); Garner J-s; Iroegbunam; Mcneil (Dibling, 75); Barry T. (Beto, 66)
Substitution: Beto (from 66); Dibling (from 75); Röhl (from 76)
Bench: Travers; King T.; Patterson N.; Aznou; Welch R.; Campbell Elijah
Yellow Cards: Mykolenko 26; Tarkowski 39

Arsenal: Raya; Saliba; Hincapie; Timber J.; Calafiori; Zubimendi; Saka B.; Odegaard (Merino, 88); Rice; Gyökeres (Gabriel Jesus, 65); Trossard (Martinelli, 80)
Substitution: Gabriel Jesus (from 65); Martinelli (from 80); Merino (from 88)
Bench: Arrizabalaga; Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard; Eze; Madueke; Nwaneri
Yellow Cards: Gyökeres 56; Martinelli 89