This is what titles are made of! Arsenal are not there to be sweet, but to conquer
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 21.12.25. | 07:29
Mikel Arteta has celebrated his sixth year in the Gunners' dugout, but this one seems to be different from the others. Everton have felt it on their skin (0-1)
When Manchester City defeated West Ham, Arsenal lost the top spot for the first time in 78 days. Five hours later, it was back.
The Gunners survived a nerve-shredding night at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Matchday 17, and Viktor Gyokeres made the difference from the spot, 1-0.
The decisive moment came from the spot in the 27th minute - a clear penalty, and possibly a turning point for Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres' goal means that @Arsenal will be top of the Premier League at Christmas 🎄 pic.twitter.com/GgyciyDFYo
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 20, 2025
Still, the louder debate will be about a referee and VAR. In the 57th minute, William Saliba kicked Thierno Barry unintentionally, but inside the box. There was communication, but no on-field review. Given how similar contacts have been punished this season in England, controversy was inevitable. Arsenal, for their part, could ask why VAR stayed silent when Jack Grealish clearly stamped on Bukayo Saka.
Enough about the referees. Let's talk about the goal - and the message behind it. A lesson in collective responsibility.
With Saka and Martin Odegaard usually in charge of penalties, the ball instead went to Gyokeres. For the first time in two years, Arsenal broke the duopoly. The decision was deliberate: help a teammate regain confidence after a hamstring injury and a five-game goal drought. He delivered.
Pickford could not coup up with that bullet from gyokeres,goal for arsenal pic.twitter.com/WwbGLdn4Ex
— Arsenalmode (@TaataUganda01) December 20, 2025
It echoed October 2023, when Saka and Odegaard stepped aside for Kai Havertz. The German scored, went on to net 13 league goals, and never looked back. Gyokeres now has five in 15 Premier League appearances, seven in 20 games across all competitions - and he could've had more if James Tarkowski hadn't produced a heroic tackle before halftime.
Everton barely tested David Raya before the break, but the second half carried danger. The Gunners missed big chances, hit the woodwork twice, and Saliba struggled against the physical presence of Barry and, later, Beto. That's where Gabriel Magalhaes was sorely missed - the muscle in one of the world's best centre-back pairings.
Trossard and Zubimendi rattled Pickford's post in the 64th and 68th minutes, adding a few grey hairs for Mikel Arteta on the anniversary of his six years in charge. Arsenal's press was relentless, winning the ball back seconds after losing it, yet the fear of a deflection or lucky rebound lingered, with memories of Aston Villa still fresh.
But Arsenal held firm, and they will be top at Christmas.
What follows is a brutal run: Brighton and Aston Villa at the Emirates, Bournemouth away, then Liverpool in north London on January 8. The title race is very much alive, and Arsenal are leading it.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 17
Saturday
Newcastle - Chelsea 2-2 (2-0)
/Woltemade 4, 20 - James 49, Pedro 66/
Bournemouth - Burnley 1-1 (0-0)
/Semenyo 67 - Broja 90/
Brighton - Sunderland 0-0
Manchester City - West Ham 3-0 (2-0)
/Haaland 5,69, Reijnders 38/
Wolverhampton - Brentford 0-2 (0-0)
/Lewis-Potter 63, 83/
Tottenham - Liverpool 1-2 (0-0)
/Richarlison 83 - Isak 56, Ekitike 66/
Everton - Arsenal 0-1 (0-1)
/Gyokeres 27 pen/
Leeds United - Crystal Palace 4-1 (2-0)
/Calwert-Lewin 38, 45+4, Ampadu 60, Stach 90+11 - Devenny 90+2 pen/
Sunday
19.30: (2.20) Aston Villa (3.75) Man.Utd. (3.25)
Monday
23.00: (2.50) Fulham (3.30) Nott.Forest (2.85)
***odds are subject to change***
