Gyökeres Breaks Scoring Drought as Arsenal Return to Top of Premier League

Viktor Gyökeres brought an end to his goal drought by converting a late penalty to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Arsenal at Everton, a result that sent the Gunners back to the summit of the Premier League table ahead of Christmas.

Arsenal had briefly surrendered top spot earlier on Saturday after Manchester City’s convincing win, but Mikel Arteta’s side restored their two-point lead despite another laboured attacking display. As has increasingly been the case in recent weeks, the north London club found fluency hard to come by, following last weekend’s stoppage-time escape against bottom side Wolves with another narrow success.

Nevertheless, the victory ensured Arsenal will sit top of the table at Christmas for the third time in four seasons — a position that has previously failed to yield a league title, with City overhauling them on both occasions.

Penalty Proves Decisive at Goodison Park

The breakthrough arrived via the penalty spot after a tense and largely uneventful contest at Goodison Park. Moments earlier, Gyökeres had seen an appeal for a shove by Jake O’Brien waved away, but Everton’s defender was then penalised for handling Declan Rice’s corner after inexplicably raising his arms inside the area.

Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s regular penalty taker, selflessly handed responsibility to Gyökeres, who showed no hesitation as he powerfully dispatched the spot-kick beyond Jordan Pickford. The goal marked the Swedish striker’s first since 1 November, ending a frustrating run in front of goal.

Arsenal Struggle to Pull Clear

Despite taking the lead, Arsenal were unable to put the contest beyond doubt. Gyökeres squandered a promising opportunity when he ran on to a William Saliba through ball but fired wide under pressure from James Tarkowski, while Saka later saw a close-range effort dramatically cleared off the line by the same defender early in the second half.

Everton, severely depleted, struggled to offer consistent threat in the final third. Their task was made harder by the absence of several key players, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sidelined through injury and Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Even so, Arsenal were forced to survive a nervy finale. Everton forward Thierno Barry saw two strong penalty appeals turned down following challenges involving Jurrien Timber and Saliba, while the visitors came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage as Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both struck the woodwork.

Clean Sheet Caps Important Win

In the end, Arsenal’s defensive resilience proved decisive, as they recorded their ninth clean sheet in 17 league matches. The result provided a timely boost for Arteta, who marked the sixth anniversary of his appointment with a victory that keeps his side firmly in control of the title race — at least for now.

However, comparisons with Manchester City remain unavoidable. Erling Haaland once again underlined his devastating influence earlier in the day, scoring as City swept West Ham aside 3-0, taking his remarkable tally to 38 goals for club and country this season.

That contrast in firepower may yet prove decisive in the long run, but for now, Gyökeres’ long-awaited goal ensured Arsenal head into Christmas exactly where they want to be — on top of the Premier League.