Arsenal moved level on 21 points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after beating Everton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes securing victory.
Konsa opened his Arsenal account in the seventh minute before Gabriel sealed the win in the 68th minute, heading home on his 200th Premier League appearance.
Punch Online reports that the game brings Arsenal and City on par after eight games in the EPL start with one losses each.
The victory came after Manchester City suffered a defeat at Aston Villa earlier in the day, leaving Arsenal with seven wins from their opening eight league matches. The Gunners remain behind City on goal difference.
Arsenal made an early breakthrough in the rain at the Emirates when Martin Odegaard’s corner was flicked towards goal by Gabriel. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford pushed the ball onto the crossbar, but Konsa reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.
Everton responded through James Garner, whose low effort tested David Raya, while Tyrqiue George also threatened with a curling attempt that was deflected wide.
The visitors survived further pressure as Noni Madueke twice came close to extending Arsenal’s advantage. The winger first dragged an effort wide after beating his marker before striking the side netting with a first-time shot following an impressive piece of skill.
Odegaard also came close after weaving past several Everton defenders, but Vitalii Mykolenko produced a timely sliding block to deny the Arsenal captain.
Despite Arsenal’s attacking dominance, Everton threatened before the break when a poor header from Ben White allowed Thierno Barry an opportunity, but Raya was alert to the danger.
The second half began with fewer clear-cut chances before Arsenal doubled their lead in the 68th minute.
White, making his 200th appearance for the club, escaped the offside trap and delivered a cross towards the far post, where Gabriel rose to head past Pickford and put the result beyond Everton.
The visitors nearly set up a tense finish late on when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s flicked header went narrowly wide, but Arsenal held on to secure their eighth consecutive home victory.
The result extended Everton’s difficult record at Arsenal, with the Toffees managing just one win in their last 31 visits to the north London club.
Arsenal will next travel to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town for a Carabao Cup fixture on Tuesday before facing Liverpool in the Premier League the following Sunday.
The club will then visit Slavia Prague for a Champions League encounter on Wednesday, November 4.