SCOUTING REPORT: VIKTOR GYOKERES ENDS GOAL DROUGHT AS ARSENAL SNAPS AWAY LOSING STREAK IN STYLE
Viktor Gyokeres secures Arsenal’s spot at the top of the table for Christmas after a tense 1-0 win and VAR drama at Everton.
Arsenal is sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League for Christmas after squeezing out a 1-0 victory at Everton, but not without some drama.
Viktor Gyokeres scored the only goal from a penalty in the first half after Jake O'Brien's clumsy handball at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Still, VAR had more to say later.
Everton thought they'd get a penalty when William Saliba appeared to kick Thierno Barry's leg while trying to clear the ball. The ref didn't call it, and VAR took ages checking it before agreeing that Saliba's contact on Barry wasn't enough for a penalty.
Then, there was a close call where Barry, darting towards the goal, got taken down by Martin Zubimendi just outside Arsenal's box, possibly denying him a clear shot. But that one was less obvious.
It was a tough night for Arsenal, who started slow but then took the lead. Before the actual penalty, Gyokeres went down under O'Brien's challenge, but no call. Then, the same O'Brien handled the ball from Declan Rice's corner, an easy penalty decision.
Gyokeres nailed the penalty, ending a five-game goal drought since his last one against Burnley in November before his injury. Arsenal's captain, Martin Odegaard, let him take it, marking the first time in two years that neither Odegaard nor Bukayo Saka took a penalty when on the field.
Arsenal kept Everton from getting any shots off in the first half, which is rare for them at home in the Premier League. But the second half was a different game.
Things got harder for Arsenal with all the penalty shouts flying around, even though Leandro Trossard and Zubimendi both hit the post, and James Tarkowski cleared Saka's shot off the line.
After Manchester City snagged the top spot earlier that day, Arsenal is back on top, snapping a three-game losing streak away stretch in the Premier League.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
