Champions Arsenal capitalised on Manchester City’s defeat at Aston Villa to move level on points with the Premier League leaders by comfortably beating Everton 2-0 at a rain-soaked Emirates Stadium.

Ezri Konsa poked in at the back post after seven minutes to score a scrappy first goal for the club and end Arsenal's wait for a first non-penalty set-piece goal of the season before Gabriel's second-half header sealed the win on his 200th Premier League appearance.

Arsenal, buoyed by the news of City's first league defeat this season, were as relentless as the north London rain as they made it seven wins from eight in the league to keep up with their rivals on 21 points, behind only on goal difference.

Viktor Gyokeres, handed his first league start of the season, failed to get off the mark for the campaign but was credited with the assist for Konsa's opener, making it two from two after setting up Declan Rice's equaliser in Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich.

Everton, now winless in 14 league trips to Arsenal, were handed a big chance to equalise at 1-0 just before half-time but Thierno Barry failed to make the most of Ben White's weak headed back pass to goalkeeper David Raya.

David Moyes' depleted side, without Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite at Arsenal, were unbeaten in the league until last weekend, but have now suffered back-to-back defeats and remain without an away win in the competition after the fourth attempt.

Key moments from the Emirates

7: GOAL! Konsa bundles in early Arsenal opener from a corner

17: CLOSE! George's deflected strike from the inside the box flies narrowly wide

28: WIDE! Madueke drags an effort off target after a sublime turn

30: SIDENETTING! Madueke's snapshot nearly creeps inside a post for Arsenal

44: BIG CHANCE! Barry fails to capitalise on a loose headed back pass from White

48: CLOSE! Rohl's cross inadvertently nearly sneaks into the goal with Raya beaten

55: INJURY! Gabriel appears to be in some pain after an awkward fall on his right knee

68: GOAL! The Arsenal defender shrugs off his injury to head in from White's cross