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Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as centre-backs Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhães scored to secure three Premier League points. Konsa struck in the seventh minute and Gabriel added a second in the second half, allowing the reigning champions to move level on points with Manchester City after City’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa earlier in the day.
Arsenal took advantage of a corner in the seventh minute. Martin Ødegaard delivered the ball into the penalty area, Jordan Pickford got a hand to the initial danger, and Konsa reacted from close range to put the hosts ahead. It was Konsa’s first goal for Arsenal since arriving from Aston Villa during the summer.
The early breakthrough also ended Arsenal’s run of 13 matches without a non-penalty goal from a set piece, according to match coverage. Set-piece efficiency has been an important feature of Arsenal’s recent success, and the opener gave Mikel Arteta’s side a platform to control the match without needing a high-scoring performance.
Everton did respond after falling behind. Tyrique George threatened with a right-footed effort that was deflected behind, while Thierno Barry came close before half-time. Barry’s glancing effort was stopped by David Raya after an under-hit header back towards the Arsenal goalkeeper created an opportunity.
Arsenal’s second goal arrived midway through the second half. Ben White sent a cross towards the far post and Gabriel rose to head home, extending the lead to 2-0. The goal gave the hosts breathing room after Everton had remained within reach for much of the contest.
Gabriel’s strike came on his 200th Premier League appearance, adding a personal milestone to a decisive defensive performance. The Brazilian had also been involved in the action around the opening goal, as Arsenal’s centre-backs proved central at both ends of the pitch.
Everton continued to look for a response. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall went close to reducing the deficit after James Garner supplied a cross, but his effort drifted wide. The visitors could not find a goal, and Arsenal saw out the closing stages to claim a clean sheet.
The victory moved Arsenal level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. City had lost 2-1 away to Aston Villa in the early kick-off, giving Arsenal an opportunity to make up ground. Arsenal took it, recording their seventh win from their first eight league fixtures, according to match reports.
It was not a straightforward week for Arteta’s team, who made five changes to the starting line-up after a 2-2 Champions League draw away to Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The rotation did not prevent them from earning a result, with Konsa and Gabriel supplying the goals and the defence holding Everton scoreless.
For Everton, the defeat represented a second consecutive league loss after a strong unbeaten start to the campaign. Their attacking moments showed they could trouble Arsenal, but the missed chances proved costly. David Moyes’s side will need to turn those openings into goals to stop a short losing run from becoming a larger setback.
- 2-0: Arsenal’s final score against Everton.
- 7th minute: Konsa’s opening goal.
- 200 appearances: Gabriel’s Premier League milestone on the day he scored.
- 7 wins from 8: Arsenal’s league record after the victory, as reported after the match.
- 5 changes: Arsenal’s starting-line-up alterations following the Bayern Munich match.
- 13 matches: Arsenal’s run without a non-penalty set-piece goal that Konsa’s strike ended.
Arsenal’s win underlined the value of defenders contributing goals in tight league matches. Konsa’s early finish gave the champions control, while Gabriel’s header removed the late uncertainty and capped a landmark appearance. The result also shows how quickly the title picture can shift when direct rivals drop points on the same afternoon.
Everton can take encouragement from creating opportunities against the reigning champions, but the next step is improving their finishing. Arsenal, meanwhile, will aim to carry this efficient performance into the next round as the race near the top of the table remains closely contested.
