It wasn’t fun, and it wasn’t pretty, but Arsenal will not care after beating Everton 1-0 to secure a first Premier League away win since early November.
Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty – awarded after VAR spotted Jake O’Brien’s blatant handball – gave the Gunners the lead, though they were unable to turn long spells of control into a second goal, with both Trossard and Zubimendi striking the post.
In the end, it didn’t matter. The three points were enough to send Arsenal back to the top of the table, where they will remain over Christmas.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…
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Arteta on a hard-fought three points…
We knew it would be a really tough match. In the second half we should have scored a second or third goal to be more relaxed. We didn’t do that and against this type of team it can be tense. Every team brings different situations. They used the keeper to play long balls and the game becomes more chaotic and stretched and you have to dominate that game, if not it is very difficult and we managed to do it.
Source: BBC Match of the Day
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David Moyes on his side’s performance…
I thought we started the game well. I don’t think we were under a great deal of pressure until the penalty kick. I think after the penalty kick we were rocked a little bit. I thought prior to it we started the game better than Arsenal. I think the second half we had to make the game more open, we had to be more committed than we’d been. We tried to get forward a bit more and quicker but it also allowed Arsenal to have one or two brilliant passing moves. I thought we stuck at it, never gave in, we were always in the game right to the end. Credit to the players.
Source: BBC Match of the Day
Jordan Pickford on Everton failing to test Raya…
We didn’t give away many chances and we defended really well…we had to suffer at times. We weren’t clinical and didn’t hurt them as much. I don’t think David Raya really had a save to make. Small margins and that’s why they are top of the league. They have been resilient at the back and hard to break down. They got a penalty and scored, the effort and application we put in was quality.
Source: Sky Sports
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Arteta on David Raya’s performance…
He was very dominant, especially in the air against a team that commits a lot of people forward, very direct, so he was excellent.
Source: Viaplay Fotball
Saka on City winning earlier in the day and Arsenal needing to respond…
There’s not really any emotions in it, we take the emotions out. We just know we’re focused on our job. Since last week, we were focused on winning here, and 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 just know we’re in control now, and if we win every week and we’ll stay there.
Source: Sky Sports
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Gyokeres on taking responsibility for the penalty kick…
We spoke a little bit on the pitch. It was an easy talk and then I took it. To be fair, a few months ago I took one, and it was nice to take one again and to score. We don’t think about it too much, we just wait for the decision. Then you know it’s a penalty and you just wait for the normal procedure. Nothing special, really.
Source: Arsenal.com
Gyokeres on the scrutiny he’s been under…
As a footballer, you go through periods like this, and that’s been the case for me. Over the last few weeks, we’ve been winning matches, and that’s the most important thing when you’re here. But of course, you also want to contribute on the pitch and do your job. So it’s really about taking it game by game, trying to do your best and make the most of the chances you get. And just trying not to think too much about everything around you. You might think you’re good at it [blocking out the noise], but it’s always a challenge. Still, it feels good when you’re winning matches and sitting in a strong position in the table.
Source: Viaplay Fotball
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Arteta on whether Odegaard gave Gyokeres the penalty knowing he needed a goal…
That’s what I hope, and they have to take initiative on the pitch. They decided that Viktor is the best taker and he scored, so what a great decision.
Source: Sky Sports
Moyes on whether Everton should have had a penalty…
I think we could have done. I think on another day somebody might have given a penalty. I think Saliba kicks the back of Thierno [Barry’s] Achilles, it looks like, and it’s not as if he’s sort of pulled his foot away, he’s kicked through. I just think it looked like a bit of an action where there wasn’t much happening, and Thierno’s got in front of him, and he’s kicked. I don’t know if the referee was expecting it or VAR, but it didn’t go our way. We’ve not been getting many decisions here, that’s for sure.
Source: evertonfc.com
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Arteta on Declan Rice…
Unbelievable. His all-round play, his leadership on the pitch, the amount of balls that he regained, as well that allowed us to run. He’s been incredibly consistent this year again, and yeah, what a massive place for us he is.
Source: Post-game press conference
Jamie Redknapp on Viktor Gyokeres…
It’s a struggle for him at the moment. I think he’s finding it hard up there. That’s his fifth goal this season. It shouldn’t be the case because he’s been in the English leagues before but it looks like he’s really struggling with the physicality of it, considering he’s a very big guy. I very rarely see him win a duel one-on-one when I thought he could have physically overpowered people. In terms of his finesse, touch, and bringing people into play, it’s not good enough. He’s finding it tough. He needs a little bit of confidence. He’s never going to be like a Bergkamp that’s going to bring the ball, roll people and play little clever passes. He’s a battering ram that’s going to score goals and make big moments and hopefully win you games. Yes, he won you the game, but he won it with a penalty. Now, you want to see him winning games with really important goals that are going to make the difference in the big games. At the moment, he’s done okay. I don’t think you can say anything more than that.
Source: Sky Sports
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Daniel Sturridge on Arsenal getting the job done…
They fought their socks off. Business-like performance, though. We talk about how they went about their business, made good passes, good decision. I think they’ll go home buzzing with their overall team performance. The first half they were OK, the second half they kept knocking. In the end you go back top of the league with a performance like that and the manager will be pleased.
Source: Sky Sports
Arteta on Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium…
I take the opportunity to say what a beautiful stadium they built. I had chills with the atmosphere, with the beauty of it. So, congratulations.
Source: Sky Sports