Viktor Gyökeres’s first-half penalty proved decisive as Arsenal edged Everton 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The 27th-minute spot kick settled a game in which VAR decisions were as influential as any individual performance. The result returned Arsenal to the Premier League summit, but the controversial nature of the victory offered Manchester City and the chasing pack hope.

All David Moyes could do was berate on-pitch official Sam Barrott at the final whistle, while Mikel Arteta wheeled away with a cocktail of relief and joy. Arsenal dominated possession (65% to 35%) and denied Everton a single shot in the opening 45 minutes, yet the contest tilted into an arm wrestle after the break as Everton grew into the game.

David Raya (8.4) was steady throughout, commanding the air and composed with the ball. At right-back Jurriën Timber (7.5) kept Jack Grealish quiet and launched repeated forays down the flank. The centre-back pairing had mixed nights: William Saliba (7.0) escaped punishment after an incident with Thierno Barry, while Piero Hincapié (7.4) cleaned up loose moments effectively. Riccardo Calafiori (7.0) showed menace roaming inside despite a head knock.

In midfield Martin Ødegaard (7.0) grew into the contest, Martín Zubimendi (7.5) found passes that evaded challenges, and Declan Rice (8.1) was dominant when in motion. Bukayo Saka (7.6) had a big chance cleared off the line. Up front Gyökeres (7.2) won and converted the penalty but was largely contained by Everton’s defenders. Leandro Trossard (7.3) struck the post, and Zubimendi later hit the same upright.

Substitutions: Gabriel Jesus replaced Gyökeres (65) and was marked 5.9; Gabriel Martinelli came on for Trossard (80) and was 6.0; Mikel Merino (88) was N/A. Unused Arsenal subs included Kepa Arrizabalaga, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Nørgaard, Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri and Noni Madueke.

The match turned on refereeing interventions; an incident when Saliba struck Barry’s calf was reviewed by Barrott and VAR Salisbury and judged “insufficient” contact. That decision shifted momentum, but Arsenal held on to claim three points.

Mikel Arteta used the sixth anniversary of his appointment to set clear terms for his future at Arsenal: success must be earned on the pitch. The manager pointed to the silverware the club still seeks despite the progress made under his tenure.

Arteta led Arsenal to the 2020 FA Cup title in an empty Wembley Stadium and followed that with the first of two Community Shields a few months later. The club has finished second in each of the past three seasons, but the Premier League title remains absent from his CV. His current deal runs until the summer of 2027.

Ahead of a trip to Everton, which was the first match after Arteta’s appointment and in which he watched a 0–0 from the stands while Freddie Ljungberg concluded his interim spell, he was asked if he could see himself remaining beyond 2027. “Yes,” he quickly replied, “but it’s about today. And a lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to earn the right. I think a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how you react, how you talk here, how you go in the dressing room, the message that you send, how much the players follow you. I always say that you need support. I said it before, from ownership and the board is great.”

On the subject of measurable progress, Arteta reflected on performances and records while acknowledging the missing trophies. “You look at the performances, all the records that we had that they were breaking in the history of the club… We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the level that we are in, which is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And that we want to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”

He also credited the collective effort. “One man cannot really change anything,” he argued. He spoke of sustained commitment: “For six years, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, desire to learn and give the maximum to the team,” Arteta beamed when speaking about the satisfaction he gets from managing Arsenal. “That is what it gives me in this job. Nothing else. And obviously winning a lot of football matches, that percentage-wise I think is quite high.”

Statistically, Arteta leads Arsenal managers with the best win ratio among those who have overseen at least 50 games: 314 games, 59.7%. The club’s historical figures such as Arsène Wenger, Herbert Chapman and George Graham remain benchmarks until major honours are added.

Noni Madueke has been candid about how he deals with online criticism while trying to establish himself at Arsenal. Before his move was completed, some supporters mounted a ‘#NotoMadueke’ campaign, but the club pushed ahead with the transfer. He has since produced a series of encouraging displays and has begun to win over sceptics.

Madueke is not an automatic first choice for manager Mikel Arteta but has shown value as an understudy to Bukayo Saka. He has supplied three Champions League league phase goals, including a snorting finish from outside of the penalty area against Club Brugge.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Everton on Saturday, Madueke described the relationship he has formed with supporters who attend games. “I felt that from day dot,” Madueke said of his rapport with those who attend games. “I think we have a really good connection. I hear them, I feel them in the stadium. I feel the love they give me and I just want to use that to fuel me, score goals and win games for my team.

“We live in a day and age where anyone can have an opinion online, positive or negative. You’ve got to take it as it comes. You can’t really worry too much about that.

“But it’s really important to try and establish that connection with the people in the stadium supporting the team every single week. I think that’s the least you can do, have that type of relationship and do your best on the pitch for them.”

His progress in the Premier League has been interrupted by injury. The former PSV Eindhoven winger was sidelined by a knee injury for six matches, has started just three times in the top flight and has totalled 423 minutes of action, less than five full matches. “Definitely not [reached his best level],” Madueke said. “There’s still a lot of the season to go. I know I’m going to keep going from strength to strength.

“I’m back from injury now, feeling good and feeling fit. I’m sure I’ll be dropping some good performances that help my team in the next games and until the end of the season.”

Madueke also praised the coaching he is receiving. “It’s been top,” Madueke continued of his relationship with Arteta. “He’s constantly trying to get me to refine parts of my game I maybe wouldn’t even have thought of, and giving me little pointers in how I can be as effective as possible.

“He’s a world-call manager and it’s a world class coaching staff, so it’s been top so far. Long may it continue.” Arsenal remain intent on ending a 22-year Premier League title drought after a summer of strong investment into their playing squad, and Madueke says he intends to contribute more as the season progresses.