Arsenal capitalise on Man City slip-up but Mikel Arteta still left with concern

· Mirror

ARSENAL 2-0 EVERTON: Goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes gave the Gunners a vital victory, moving them level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table

Arsenal capitalised on Manchester City dropping points and beat Everton 2-0 to go joint-top of the Premier League table. The Gunners were boosted by City's first defeat of the campaign, with the pacesetters having lost 2-1 away to Aston Villa in the early kick-off.

Ezri Konsa gave Arsenal an early lead, scoring the Gunners' first goal from a corner this season. In truth, the soaking wet conditions at the Emirates made it a slog for both teams.

But Gabriel Magalhaes' goal midway through the second half - one of his many important contributions after having an injury scare - was like a ray of sunshine for Arsenal and a storm cloud for Everton. The Toffees had a decent start to the season but remain winless since the international break and they now go into a cup-league double-header against Newcastle.

After Wednesday's thrilling 2-2 draw away to Bayern Munich, and with a trip to Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup coming next Tuesday, Arteta rotated his starting XI. Riccardo Calafiori's run of starting every league game this season came to an end while Viktor Gyokeres got the nod up front over Kai Havertz, with Mikel Merino also replacing Bruno Guimaraes.

Everton's slim resources were on show as David Moyes named two goalkeepers on the bench. Jarrad Branthwaite (concussion) and Jack Grealish (illness) were both ruled out of their trip to face the reigning champions.

The return of Set Piece FC

It was the match fact that pessimistic Everton fans will've winced at. Seven games into last season, Arsenal had scored from a corner six times on their way to a record-breaking 19. Their record prior to Saturday: zero.

Sadly for the Toffees, was only a matter of time until that changed.

In the seventh minute, a delivery swung in by Martin Odegaard caused chaos and the ball hit the crossbar via an Everton man. Viktor Gyokeres was first to get something on it before Konsa prodded home to score his first goal for Arsenal the day after his 29th birthday.

Moyes' half-time rant

After Arsenal dominated the first half and missed chances to extend their lead, David Moyes had every right to be upset with his team. But he was also furious with the referee.

Moyes, donning a cap in the pouring North London rain, waited in the tunnel at half-time and was seen telling Tony Harrington exactly what he thought of his performance. Everton captain James Tarkowski also wasn't happy with Harrington, and there was a feeling that the visitors had been on the wrong side of one too many decisions in the opening 45 minutes.

Harrington couldn't please Arsenal either. After Tarkowski won a soft foul from Gyokeres in the second half, the Gunners bench were up in arms and Arteta was given a yellow card for their protestations.

Gyokeres' drought leaves Arteta with concern

A goal-a-game for Sweden, but none in 10 for Arsenal. Rarely is a striker so prolific for his country and yet can't score for his club.

Arteta handed Gyokeres first league start of the season, a big opportunity to break his duck. But the Swede couldn't find a way through Everton's backline to even register a single shot.

Kai Havertz replaced him in the 68th minute and remains Arteta's first-choice striker. A goal against Fleetwood could kickstart Gyokeres' season, but right now, Arteta - rather concerningly - can't rely on his £64million signing to get on the scoresheet.

Moyes would love to have two options up front, having been left reliant on Thierno Barry. The 24-year-old did nearly equalise with Everton's best chance of the game on the brink of half-time. Ben White's header back towards goal fell short and allowed Barry to sneak in, only for David Raya to pull off a sharp save low down.

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