Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side welcomed David Moyes’ Everton to the Emirates Stadium with a clear objective: maintain their lead at the top of the table amidst a congested schedule. The Gunners deployed a fluid 4-3-3 that frequently shifted into a 3-2-5, with Riccardo Calafiori tucking inside to form a temporary double-pivot alongside Martin Zubimendi. However, Everton arrived with a clear defensive blueprint, operating in a compact 4-5-1 low block that prioritized central density. Despite missing key defensive anchors James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, the Toffees' makeshift back four, led by Michael Keane and Jake O’Brien, maintained a rigid horizontal gap of no more than 30 meters, effectively neutralizing Arsenal's half-space combinations.
Statistically, the first half was a study in sterile dominance. Arsenal controlled 71% of the ball and recorded a staggering 22 shots over the course of the match, but they struggled to breach the 'Zone 14' area. Everton’s PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) was a disciplined 16.4, as they opted to retreat rather than engage in a high press that could be exploited by Bukayo Saka. The hosts were forced into speculative efforts, recording 12 shots from outside the box—their highest tally in a single league game this season. By the interval, the score remained 0-0, with Arsenal’s xG sitting at a frustrated 0.84 despite the territory share.
The Gyökeres Pivot and Tactical Verticality
The second half saw a continuation of the same pattern until Arteta utilized his bench to inject much-needed verticality. The introduction of Viktor Gyökeres in the 60th minute shifted the tactical focus from patient circulation to direct physical engagement. Gyökeres’ presence forced the Everton center-backs to drop an extra 5 meters, finally creating the space that Eberechi Eze and Martin Ødegaard had been seeking. Despite the pressure, Everton remained a threat on the counter, with Iliman Ndiaye creating a moment of panic in the 50th minute that required a sharp save from David Raya (snap shot xG 0.24).
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 89th minute. After 88 minutes of patient probing, a quick lateral shift from Declan Rice found space on the left. A whipped delivery into the box caused a moment of hesitation in the Everton defense, allowing Viktor Gyökeres to pounce. His finish into the corner registered an individual xG of 0.44 and broke the spirit of a Toffees side that had fought valiantly. This goal epitomized Arsenal's season: a refusal to abandon the structural plan, combined with the elite depth that has seen their substitutes contribute to 13 goal involvements this campaign.
The Dowman Milestone and Final Counters
With Everton pushing everyone forward in stoppage time—including goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for a 95th-minute corner—the game state transformed into a pure transitional duel. In the 90+7th minute, Arsenal executed a textbook counter-attack. 16-year-old Max Dowman, who had been introduced late for his home debut, intercepted a clearance and embarked on a 40-meter solo run. Showing composure far beyond his years, Dowman slotted the ball into the empty net to make it 2-0. In doing so, he became the youngest goalscorer in Arsenal’s Premier League history, a landmark moment that punctuated a vital three points.
Final metrics highlight the disparity in clinical execution. Arsenal finished with 22 total shots to Everton's 8, and a final xG of 2.18. While Everton’s defensive organization was commendable, their Expected Threat (xT) from open play was limited to 0.41, illustrating how Arsenal's counter-press restricted the visitors to set-piece opportunities. David Raya secured his clean sheet with 3 saves, while Arsenal's field tilt finished at a dominant 76%. This victory moves the Gunners 10 points clear at the summit, proving that their tactical maturity is now matched by a ruthless ability to win the 'war of attrition' in the season's final stretch.