Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League alongside Manchester City with a controlled 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates, rediscovering the set-piece threat that had been missing from their early-season work.
Konsa struck inside the opening minutes after Gabriel’s header from a dead-ball delivery came back off the crossbar and Everton failed to clear. Gabriel then settled the contest in the second half, heading in Ben White’s cross after a spell in which the home side had been made to work for their clean sheet.
The result left Arsenal level with City at the summit, although Pep Guardiola’s side remained ahead on goal difference by three. It was Arsenal’s fifth league shut-out of the campaign.
Set-piece strength returns
Arsenal had made dead balls a major weapon last season, scoring 25 goals from them excluding penalties. They had yet to find the net from a set-piece this term, but the familiar routines were soon back in evidence.
After difficult starts in matches since the international break, Mikel Arteta’s side began on the front foot. Just beyond the five-minute mark, Gabriel met a delivery and sent his header against the woodwork. Konsa reacted quickest to the loose ball to give Arsenal the lead.
Everton were allowed a little more possession after falling behind and briefly threatened an equaliser. David Raya needed two attempts to gather a scuffed effort from Garner, while Ben White got a decisive touch on a dangerous shot from Tyrique George.
Arsenal regained their grip before half-time and went close to adding a second. Mikel Merino was denied by some outstanding penalty-box defending from James Tarkowski, before another set-piece brought the Spaniard an opportunity at the end of the first half.
Gabriel stays on to seal it
The visitors began the second period with greater purpose. Raya watched a curling cross from Röhl flash through the area before claiming another delivery from Tyrique George.
There was an anxious moment for Arsenal when Gabriel went down while trying to deal with a ball from wide areas and called for treatment. Cristhian Mosquera prepared to come on, but the Brazilian centre-back was able to continue.
Arteta made a triple substitution in the 66th minute, bringing on Calafiori, Bruno Guimaraes and Havertz. Gabriel remained on the pitch and soon made the match safe. White reached the byline, looked up and chipped a measured cross towards the far post, where Gabriel headed home.
Martin Zubimendi was later introduced and finished the match with a broken nose, while the young Dowman also came on as Arsenal saw out the evening. The teenager had been discussed as a possible starter on the right with Bukayo Saka facing a lay-off that could run to several months, but Arteta instead moved Noni Madueke across and handed Eze another opportunity. Viktor Gyökeres made his first Premier League start, with Lewis-Skelly returning at left-back and Merino partnering Rice in midfield.
Everton nearly gave themselves a late route back when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got ahead of Konsa and Gabriel to meet a Garner cross, but Arsenal preserved their two-goal advantage and another clean sheet. For a side whose set-piece plans had gone quiet, it was a timely reminder that the old routines still travel well.
