December 21, (THEWILL) — Viktor Gyökeres scored the penalty that mattered most for Arsenal, converting emphatically in the 27th minute to give the Gunners a 1-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening. The goal returned Arsenal to the English Premier League summit on Christmas Day, though the result owed as much to VAR decisions as the striker’s clinical finish.
Gyökeres earned and converted the spot kick after Jake O’Brien bizarrely raised both hands above his head whilst defending a Declan Rice corner, making clear contact with the ball. VAR Michael Salisbury correctly identified the infringement, allowing the Swedish striker to dispatch his penalty emphatically. Arsenal had dominated the opening 45 minutes, denying David Moyes’s side a single shot whilst maintaining complete control of the contest before the interval.
Everton transformed their performance after half-time, pinning Arsenal deep and creating sustained pressure inside the visitors’ final third. The momentum shift nearly produced an equaliser when William Saliba inadvertently struck Thierno Barry’s calf during a scramble approaching the hour mark. Both referee Sam Barrott and VAR Salisbury inexplicably overlooked the contact, with the EPL Match Centre later claiming it was “insufficient” for a penalty, leaving Moyes furious.
Arsenal regained their composure following that controversial moment and crafted two excellent opportunities to seal the match. Leandro Trossard struck the post in the 64th minute when a yawning slice of netting was left unguarded following a swift move from right to left. Martín Zubimendi hit the same upright five minutes later after collecting Martin Ødegaard’s cutback following deft interplay with Bukayo Saka.
Mikel Arteta wheeled away with relief and joy at the final whistle, his side having overtaken Manchester City who had moved into first place earlier in the day powered by Erling Haaland. Moyes confronted Barrott immediately after the match, unable to contain his frustration at the penalty decision that went against his team. The three points ensured Arsenal would spend Christmas Day atop the Premier League table, though the narrow margin of victory offered encouragement to their title rivals.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
