Arsenal will be top of the Premier League at Christmas after three points at Everton took Mikel Arteta’s side back to the summit, even if they were far from at their best.

Arteta spent six years at Everton as a player but he rarely enjoyed his returns to Goodison Park. As Arsenal boss he won only once in five visits, that coming in 2023 when Leandro Trossard earned the Gunners a narrow 1-0 victory.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta enjoyed watching his side banish their recent struggles on the road with a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday that puts them top of the table over the Christmas period thanks to a Viktor Gyokeres penalty gifted to them by Toffees defender Jake O'Brien.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta warned that it was “dangerous” to leave William Saliba on the pitch for the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, yet he had no choice after Ben White was forced off in the first half.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he was surprised to see Viktor Gyokeres step up to take his team's penalty in the 1-0 win at Everton and says the decision was made by the players.

It will be six years to the day since Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal manager when the Premier League leaders visit Everton on Saturday, trying to protect a two-point advantage in pursuit of their first top-flight title since 2004.

Mikel Arteta believes that Arsenal have reached “another level” this season thanks to improved depth and maturity within the squad as the Gunners target a first Premier League title in 22 years. But it will take even more to realise that ambition.