Arsenal's quest for Premier League glory hung in the balance on December 20, 2025, and a single moment of sheer absurdity nearly derailed their title aspirations. After briefly relinquishing their top spot to Manchester City, the Gunners traveled to face Everton, and escaped with a narrow 1-0 victory that was as much a gift as it was earned.
Viktor Gyökeres, ending a six-game goal drought, converted a first-half penalty to secure the win for Arsenal. But here's the kicker: the penalty itself was a direct result of an inexplicable error by Everton's Jake O'Brien. More on that in a moment...
Everton manager David Moyes will undoubtedly feel aggrieved by a VAR decision that went against his team. The incident involved a challenge by William Saliba on Thierno Barry, which Everton believed warranted a penalty. The referee, after consulting VAR, disagreed, denying the Toffees a potential equalizer. But regardless of that decision, Everton's own actions proved to be their undoing.
In the 27th minute, O'Brien, having narrowly avoided conceding a penalty just moments earlier, committed an act of footballing madness. He inexplicably swatted away an Arsenal corner kick with both arms, stretched high above his head like he was trying to catch a stray beach ball. It was a clear handball, a penalty that even the most ardent Everton supporter couldn't deny. That set the stage for Gyökeres's winner, restoring Arsenal's two-point lead at the summit of the Premier League table.
Arsenal, a team that had been ruthlessly efficient when taking the lead (winning their last 18 matches after scoring first), seized the opportunity. This victory marked their third time in four years claiming the coveted 'Christmas number one' spot. However, their overall record at Goodison Park remains less impressive. But here's where it gets controversial... While this victory was crucial, some pundits argue that Arsenal has yet to prove they can convert their dominance into a Premier League title – their first since the legendary 'Invincibles' season of 2003-2004. Can they finally break the spell?
Everton, playing in front of a hyped-up crowd at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (complete with pre-match light shows and elaborate tifo displays), failed to rise to the occasion. The atmosphere was electric, but the team's performance was anything but.
Moyes's squad was significantly weakened by the absence of key players. Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye were away at the Africa Cup of Nations, representing their countries. However, the biggest loss was arguably Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, sidelined with an injury. Dewsbury-Hall had been Everton's standout performer over the previous two months, and his creativity and energy were sorely missed. At full strength, Everton might have posed a much greater challenge to Mikel Arteta, their former player now managing Arsenal.
With Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner tasked with man-marking Arsenal's midfield maestros Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, and Jack Grealish largely ineffective, Everton struggled to create meaningful chances. Arsenal's left-back, Riccardo Calafiori, frequently drifted into midfield, further overwhelming Everton's midfield. As has often been the case, it took a set-piece and a helping hand (or two!) to unlock the Everton defense, and that is what happened.
The sequence leading up to the penalty was fraught with drama. Gyökeres initially appealed for a penalty after competing with O'Brien for a deflected cross from Jurien Timber. The referee waved away those appeals, but O'Brien's subsequent handball from the ensuing corner was undeniable.
Arsenal captain Odegaard entrusted the penalty to Gyökeres, not Bukayo Saka. The Swedish striker confidently dispatched the spot-kick straight down the middle, extending his perfect record with league penalties to an impressive 19 since joining Sporting Lisbon in 2023.
Having secured the lead, Arsenal, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace looming on Tuesday, didn't need to exert themselves further. Everton, lacking a genuine goal threat, only managed two shots on target throughout the entire match, one of which was the contested Saliba-Barry penalty shout.
Leandro Trossard and Martín Zubimendi both struck the same post in the second half, adding to Everton's frustration. The earlier incident involving Saliba's challenge on Barry, deemed not a foul, continued to be a talking point. And this is the part most people miss... Was the VAR decision correct? Did Saliba get enough of the ball before making contact with Barry? It's a question that will likely be debated among Everton fans for weeks to come.
Ultimately, Arsenal secured a valuable three points, but the victory was far from convincing. Was this a sign of championship mettle, or did they simply capitalize on Everton's self-inflicted wounds? What do you think? Should Everton been awarded a penalty? And is Arsenal truly ready to lift the Premier League trophy after so many years? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
