Arsenal Pull Level With Man City at the Top After Beating Everton

Arsenal are back on level terms with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. A 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, October 24, took them to 21 points, and City had already helped them out earlier in the day by losing 2-1 to Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta’s side got the early goal they wanted. Ezri Konsa scored in the seventh minute, finishing from close range after Gabriel flicked on a Martin Ødegaard corner. It was a big moment for another reason too, because it ended a run of 13 matches in which Arsenal hadn’t scored from a set piece, penalties aside.

Everton did have a moment. Ben White’s attempted header sent Thierno Barry clear on goal, but David Raya stood tall and kept the lead intact.

Gabriel then made sure of it in the 68th minute, rising to head in a White cross and giving Arsenal a comfortable two-goal cushion. Fittingly, the two defenders were the ones who got the goals, one on either side of half-time.

The numbers show how one-sided it was. Arsenal had 20 shots to Everton’s eight and an expected goals figure of 1.77 against 0.48. They won 12 corners to the visitors’ three and had 58% of the ball.

The result also changes the mood at the top. City’s unbeaten start to the league season ended at Villa Park, and Arsenal were quick to take advantage. Both teams now sit on 21 points, and the title race is shaping up to be a close one.

One thing to double-check before publishing: Ezri Konsa has been an Aston Villa player as far as I know, so it’s worth confirming that he is the Arsenal scorer here and that the name hasn’t been mixed up in the source.