Arsenal moved level on points at the top of the Premier League on Saturday following a 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium, a result manager Mikel Arteta attributed to the mental toughness of a squad navigating a punishing schedule.
Goals from centre-backs Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães secured the three points in a match that tested the Gunners’ depth. Konsa opened the scoring in the first half with his first goal for the club, while Gabriel marked his 200th Premier League appearance by netting the second to consolidate the win.
Following the final whistle in North London, Arteta was quick to highlight the physical toll the past week had taken on his players. The team followed a Sunday afternoon fixture with a trip to Munich on Wednesday, returning to the UK late Thursday evening before preparing for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.
“We’re very happy with the victory, the performance and the week, because we were given a terrible schedule,” Arteta said. “I’m really proud of the mentality of the team in the conditions today. We have overcome some injuries, and I’m really proud of the mentality of the team.”
The resilience was perhaps best exemplified by Gabriel. The Brazilian defender appeared to suffer an injury during the match but refused to be substituted. Arteta noted that Gabriel insisted on continuing immediately after going down, eventually scoring the goal that put the game out of reach for the visitors.
Arteta also praised the defensive partnership between Gabriel and Konsa. With William Saliba still sidelined by injury, Konsa has had to adapt quickly despite having no pre-season with the club. The manager described the chemistry between the two as “so solid” and “natural,” noting that it is difficult to achieve such a high level of performance so soon after joining.
The victory was also a validation of Arsenal’s work on set pieces. Arteta admitted his frustration that the team had failed to convert chances from dead-ball situations against Bayern Munich earlier in the week—a failure he believes cost them that game. He credited the players’ focus and the work of set-piece coach Nico Jover for the breakthrough on Saturday.
“I was sure it was going to unlock something,” Arteta said regarding the set-piece goals. “The level of attention when we train and what they believe in what Nico does, there is no question of that. But in the end, it has to come through and make the difference.”
Tactically, Arteta opted for a fluid midfield to prevent Everton from finding a “clear reference” point in their defensive shape. This rotation, combined with the performance of Noni Madueke, allowed Arsenal to control the game despite missing key attacking threats. Madueke was called into the starting lineup following injuries to Bukayo Saka and Christos. Arteta described Madueke as an “unbelievable player” whose consistency in the final third is becoming essential for the team.
The match was not without personal frustration for the manager, however. Arteta received his second yellow card of the season for leaving his technical area, a sanction he contested by pointing to a perceived lack of consistency among officials. He suggested that other managers frequently ignore touchline boundaries without being penalized.
“I do have to be careful, put sensors there!” Arteta joked. “There are managers that have the record in the league, 36 times in 10 minutes they leave the touchline, no yellows. I’m clipping all of that, I have a massive storage of images.”
Arteta provided a brief update on Riccardo Calafiori, who was omitted from the matchday squad due to a “light issue.” While the manager was optimistic that the problem was minor, he noted that the player and medical staff were being cautious.
The result leaves Arsenal in a strong position as they continue their title challenge. Arteta signaled that the success of making five changes to the starting lineup for the Everton game would likely lead to more rotation in the future. “We have an unbelievable group of players with the right mentality who are all ready to play their part,” he said. “They did that today.”
The win ensures Arsenal keeps pace at the summit of the table, with the manager expressing satisfaction with nearly every performance this season, barring a single result against Brighton. The focus now shifts to maintaining defensive stability as the club awaits the return of Saliba and fellow defender Mosquera to full fitness.
