Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Konsa 7, Gabriel 68
With Manchester City’s perfect start having been put to an end earlier at noon, it was up to Arsenal to seize their chance and get back joint-top of the Premier League. And they did it clinically enough, Ezri Konza and Gabriel Magalhaes scoring in both halves to seal a 2-0 victory over Everton.
Everton had hoped to make life difficult for their former captain Mikel Arteta, but their poor record in north London continued here. David Moyes has now suffered another defeat against his old club, with his side losing for the second successive league game after their unbeaten start to the season ended against Chelsea last weekend.
Arsenal needed only seven minutes to take the lead. Their opening goal also ended a frustrating run from set pieces, so central to their success last season.
Martin Odegaard delivered a corner into the near post, where Gabriel made the first contact with a header. Jordan Pickford got a hand to the ball and pushed it against the crossbar, but Everton failed to clear their lines. Vitaliy Mykolenko could not deal with the danger under pressure from Viktor Gyokeres, allowing Konsa to finish from close range for his first goal since joining Arsenal from Aston Villa in the summer.
Arteta had made five changes to his starting side after Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich. Gyokeres was handed his first Premier League start of the season, but the Swedish striker struggled to make much of an impact.
Arsenal also had to cope without Bukayo Saka, who suffered a thigh injury against Bayern. His absence could give Noni Madueke a chance to establish himself in the side, and the winger tried to make the most of his opportunity against Everton.
Madueke went close with an effort from the edge of the box and also fired wide on another occasion. Eberechi Eze had a chance to extend Arsenal’s lead, but the hosts could not find the second goal that would have made the contest more comfortable.
Everton offered little in the way of attack for much of the first half, but they came close to an equaliser before the break. Ben White’s attempted header back to David Raya lacked power and left Thierno Barry with a chance to punish the mistake. The forward could not guide his effort past the Arsenal goalkeeper, who made a comfortable save.
James Garner had earlier tested Raya from distance, and Tyrique George also threatened after his effort took a deflection off White and flashed wide.
Moyes’ side showed greater intent after the interval and nearly caught Arsenal out when Merlin Rohl sent a cross towards goal. Raya dealt with the danger, but Everton still lacked the quality needed to turn their improved approach into a clear chance.
Arsenal continued to threaten from corners, and Gabriel gave Arteta’s side the breathing space they wanted in the 68th minute.
White, who was making his 200th appearance for Arsenal, delivered an inviting cross from the right after being released down the flank. Gabriel found space at the far post and rose to head the ball into the bottom-left corner. The goal was a fitting way for the Brazilian to mark his 200th Premier League appearance.
Moyes had little reason to be pleased with his team’s response. Everton had defended stubbornly enough throughout but their failure to take advantage of Arsenal’s occasional mistakes left them with too much to do.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to set up a tense finish seven minutes from time when he met a cross from Garner. The midfielder was unmarked, but his glancing header drifted wide of Raya’s goal.
