Everton 0-1 Arsenal LIVE – Gyokeres sends Arsenal back to the top of the table

Arteta on being top at Christmas: “What gives me belief and confidence is the level of the performance and the consistency of that.

“That’s very difficult to do in this league and that means that the team is constantly there.

“Enjoy the process of winning. We’re going to go to difficult places and we’re going to have difficult moments. We have dealt with a lot of things already and we are there for what we want to do. Work for the next game, try to improve and make sure that everybody has that spirit and energy and is enjoying that.”

Arteta on whether Odegaard showed selflessness by giving the ball to Gyokeres for the penalty: “I agree with that and obviously the confidence in the player (Gyokeres). He practises every day and is unbelievable at it and he put the ball in the back of the net.

“I love when players take ownership and decide themselves what is the best decision. That’s something really positive.”

“Unbelievable. His all around play, his leadership on the pitch, the amount of balls he regained as well that allowed us to run. He’s been incredibly consistent for us and what a massive player for us he is.”

“Very happy for him. They took ownership on the pitch between Martin and Bukayo and him to decide who was going to take it and they made a great decision because Viktor put the ball in the back of the net.”

Mikel Arteta reflects on the win: “Very happy with the result and big parts of the performance against a team that is difficult to beat, really well organised, they can really stretch you in the way they play.

“The game can become chaotic but we didn’t allow that to happen except for one sequence of two corners and one throw after we kicked the ball out of play.

“In the second half we had three massive chances to get the second goal or the third one but we didn’t do it. Then you can suffer at the end but we didn’t. We haven’t conceded anything but overall the margins could have been bigger.”

Gyokeres speaking to Sky Sports: “You always want to score goals. That’s the main target every game for attacking players. That’s what we want to do. Today we could’ve scored a few more but the most important is we won the game.

Bukayo Saka speaking to Sky Sports on the pressure going into the game: “There’s not really any emotions in it. We take the emotions out. We just know we focus on our job this week, after last week we focus on coming here and winning. We did that today. We’re back on top of the table but we’re not watching City too much, or the other teams. We’re in control now. We know if we win every week we’ll stay there.”

The referee’s whistle brings the game to an end and it was not a vintage performance from either side. Misplaced passes occurred far too frequently with both teams and chances were limited.

However, for Arsenal that will not matter. They leave Liverpool with three points and back at the top of the table. Perhaps fortunate that the only goal of the game came from a penalty was conceded in a silly manner, in truth the visitors were the superior team and do deserve the victory.

Everton will need to learn to play without their key men who are unavailable. They did not meet their standards and will quickly slip down the table with displays like this one.

Saka brings down Grealish inside Arsenal’s half.

A chance for Everton to send all their men forward.

Four minutes remaining and Arsenal have set up camp.

The Gunners are keeping the ball in the corner with Jesus and Calafiori as the clock ticks away.

Six minutes of additional time will be played.

Arsenal currently have a corner.

Some gamesmanship is now being deployed by the visitors.

Martinelli is booked for kicking the ball away.

Arsenal’s captain is withdrawn for the final few minutes.

Arteta sends on Merino for Odegaard.

Arsenal are just keeping hold of the ball here, as they look to suffocate this match.

Everton have not created much but they do not want to give them any opportunities in the closing stages.

Everton are still searching for an equaliser and this could be a nervy last few minutes for Arsenal.

An unforced error from Raya sees him kick the ball out of play, giving Everton the chance to get the ball in the box from a long throw-in.

Martinelli is sent on for Trossard.

The Brazilian’s pace could prove useful in the last ten minutes here.

A double substitution from Moyes as we enter the final 15 minutes of the game.

McNeil and Alcaraz are replaced by Dibling and Rohl.

Arsenal are denied by the woodwork again, this time it is Zubimendi who goes close.

Odegaard pulls one back from the by-line and the Spaniard runs on to it and drills against the post from just inside the area.

Moyes responds to Arsenal’s striker switch by making one of his own.

Beto comes on in place of Barry.

The only goalscorer of the game so far is withdrawn, possibly due to the yellow card he picked up.

Arteta sends on Jesus to replace Gyokeres.

Arsenal work the ball forward well and Rice slides it through for Trossard.

Level with the penalty spot on the left-hand side, it is a golden opportunity for the Belgian but he curls his effort against the post.

Arsenal have managed to keep possession for a couple of minutes, as they look to calm this game down.

Things had turned a little frantic.

Barry spins Hincapie and looks to get away but is dragged down by the defender.

The Ecuadorian escapes without a yellow card, further enraging the home supporters who feel that decisions are going against them.

After review, no penalty is awarded.

Arsenal are starting to ride their luck a bit here and need to get going again.