Teams at the Hill Dickinson: #EFC Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; McNeil, Alcaraz, Grealish; Barry #AFC Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

What is Jake O'Brien thinking there? The Everton defender gives away a needless penalty against Arsenal, which Viktor Gyokeres duly converts.

Viktor Gyokeres continues to divide opinion among #AFC fans but one thing cannot be denied: he is good at penalties. Since the summer of 2023 (when he joined Sporting) he has scored 19 out of 19 penalties he has taken in league football.

Dude is playing volleyball.

Penalty scored by Gyokeres ….. #EVEARL #Arsenal #AFC #Gunners #EPL #PremierLeague

Ødegaard doesn't play the pass brilliantly but it's not easy to give great service when the movement is bad - Gyökeres doesn't move wide early enough, then darts inside as Ødegaard is getting ready to pass. Poor.

In a good position after controlling most of that half, but without really creating a great deal of threat in their final third. Stupid pen for Everton to give away, well taken by Gyokeres who really made no mistake. Think we need be smarter in their half, make better decisions.

Please stop hitting the post.

Sort of think Arteta told his assistants that if they EVER tell him he still has subs he can use they are out the door that minute.

Declan Rice takes your calls to rest Declan Rice as an insult

Bring this man to Dick Hill.

Arteta frustrated in the 85th minute mutters to himself: “These guys just aren’t cutting it” *He turns around* “Holy shit! What the f***! Who are you guys?” Bench: “We’re your bench” Arteta: “My what?”

I would have enjoyed the full time whistle 45 minutes ago but I‘ll take it now.

Arsenal were a long way from their fluid best but that was another fabulous defensive performance by Declan Rice in midfield. He won possession 10 times, the most of any player on the pitch. He also had the most touches (114) and accurate passes (87). #AFC

Top of the table at Christmas, can't argue with our league position, but that wasn't the kind of convincing performance you'd have hoped for after Wolves. Hit the post twice, but also got away with one when Everton could easily have had a penalty. Still, 3 points the most important thing!

Didn't get to see all that game but fully absorbed by the last 15 and that was a much better defence of a one goal lead. 76 passes completed to Everton's 10 from 80th onwards. Carried attacking threat but not cavalier. Ideally you don't need to defend a 1-0 but that's how to.

Raya was incredible. His distribution took the sting out of the game so many times when they were really pushing. Best in the world.

JINGLE BELLS JINGLE BELLS JINGLE ALL THE WAY OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO SEE THE ARSENAL WIN AWAY

Everton 0 (0.2)-(1.5) 1 Arsenal It's 3 points and another +2 on last season we move.

Arsenal Football Club will be top of the Premier League table at Christmas. 17 games down. 21 games to go.

Arsenal are now eight points better off than last season in terms of their 17 equivalent fixtures to date. More scope for improvement coming up: 3 AVL A (-3) 3 WOL H (-) 1 EVE A (+2) 1 BHA H 1 AVL H 0 BOU A 1 LIV H 1 NFO A

Arsenal had a left hand side bias against Everton