Arsenal moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table after a 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side took an early lead through Ezri Konsa, who scored Arsenal's first set-piece goal this season to end a run of 13 matches without one. Gabriel gave Arsenal the added cushion midway through the second half with an emphatic header.
Defensive Solidity and Key Contributions
David Raya earned a 7/10 rating, with one sloppy moment when holding the ball too long to gift Everton a corner, but otherwise impressive again. His distribution launched attacks and he made a sharp save to deny Barry, remaining largely untroubled in earning another clean sheet.
Ben White was rescued by Raya when his weak header back to the goalkeeper was intercepted by Barry, whose effort was stopped. White looked strong in attack and delivered a perfect cross for Gabriel's goal.
Ezri Konsa, rated 8/10, was the man to break the duck with a set-piece goal at the back post, bundling in after a long wait. He was quick and strong on the cover, giving Everton nothing in behind, and was described as the club's important summer signing.
Star Performance and Midfield Control
Gabriel was the star man with a 9/10 rating, returning to goalscoring form with an emphatic header to make it 2-0. He bullied Barry, shrugging him off the ball and launching into challenges, and gave Arsenal a major scare when he stayed down in pain after a clearance but was able to continue. He was described as colossal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly earned 8/10, winning all four of his first-half duels and helping Arsenal play with real zip. Declan Rice created four chances, more than any player on the pitch, with his set-piece delivery a constant threat. Martin Odegaard, also rated 8/10, was central to Arsenal's flowing attack with nutmegs, backheels and one-twos.
Substitutes and Late Cameos
Bruno Guimaraes, who replaced Merino in the 66th minute, played with a real swagger, taking risks in midfield. Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz also came on, with Havertz having a tough introduction when Tarkowski wiped him out and got booked.
Martin Zubimendi, on for Rice in the 80th minute, had barely been on a few minutes when Barry left him with a bloodied nose and forced a change of shirt, but he made a good block in stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet. Max Dowman showed sublime skill to skip past Garner, only to be halted by the referee's whistle.
