Everton 2-1 Arsenal: The Toffees are up to second as Carlo Ancelotti’s side pile pressure on Mikel Arteta

Everton condemn Arsenal to their eighth league defeat of the season as a Yerry Mina header piles further pressure on Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners sit in 15^th having only managed 14 points from their 14 league games so far. 

Meanwhile, the Toffees climb into second place, behind their Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.

This was the 100^th league meeting at Goodison Park between these Premier league ever-presents and marked both manager’s one-year anniversaries at their respective clubs. 

A year on, Carlo Ancelotti will be feeling a lot safer than his counterpart having now beaten Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal in the space of seven days. 

In contrast, Arteta has been heavily scrutinised lately due to their woeful league form, having now not won in seven league outings. 

The game began at a slow pace with neither side inflicting any real danger on both sets of defences.  In the 22^nd minute that changed when a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header deflected off Arsenal’s stand-in captain Rob Holding and past Bernd Leno. Although the England striker tried to claim this, it went down as a Holding own goal. 

Just ten minutes later, Arsenal were level when Nicolas Pepe scored past Jordan Pickford from the penalty spot, after Tom Davies clumsily fouled Ainsley Maitland-Niles. 

Having not created anything until the penalty, Arsenal were lucky to be level.

But on the stroke of half-time, a powerful Mina header, from a Gylfi Sigurdsson corner, ensured the Toffees went into the break with a deserved advantage. 

The second half was a dull affair. David Luiz struck the woodwork midway through the half but the North Londoners chances were limited due to the excellent Everton defence. 

Arteta’s return to Goodison Park was not a happy one, Arsenal clearly missed their captain and main striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who had a calf injury. 

Although it is too early to say that Arsenal are in a relegation battle, there must be serious concern over their recent league form and dim performances. 

By Jon Bazley