Goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel helped us defeat Everton in the Premier League and move level on points at the top of the table.

A goal in each half was enough at a rain-soaked N5, but what were the key reasons behind the 2-0 win? Adrian Clarke has gone through the game with his expert eye to uncover five factors.

ODEGAARD RUNS THE SHOW

In-form Martin Odegaard was highly influential, taking full control of our performance against a stubborn Everton side. 

Brimming with self-belief, our captain always demanded the ball, and seemed to revel in his role as the side’s chief conductor. 

No one on the pitch came close to his numbers for touches, successful passes, or passes into the final third. Odegaard also covered more distance with his running than anyone else in red and white. 

Our effervescent number 8 also showed great variety in his movement. Not content to operate to the right of centre, a domain he loves to occupy, he moved left on plenty of occasions too.  

Pushing forward to attempt five shots, four from outside the box, he also fancied his chances of scoring. 

He may not have scored, and his two key passes might look modest to some, but this was a classy display from the skipper. 

Constantly opening up the pitch with an incisive pass, like this one (below) for Noni Madueke, which led to a Mikel Merino strike, this was another top-class performance from Odegaard. 

ENDING OUR SET PIECE DROUGHT

Ezri Konsa’s opener was our first set-piece goal since May against Crystal Palace, ending a 13-game run without one.

It arrived in a first half where we racked up an incredible 10 corner kicks. 

The goal itself may have looked a little scruffy, with Konsa bundling the ball home at the far post, but the way it was constructed was intelligent and perfectly executed.

As Odegaard lined up to flight his inswinger, Gabriel Magalhaes loitered around the goal line, as a stream of players ran across the six-yard box towards the near post.

When they went past him, the Brazilian darted out of the box, before timing a sprint to the near post space perfectly. 

With several Everton players blocked in, he was free to head the ball downwards and onto the bar. 

Showing real desire, Konsa escaped his marker and slotted home the rebound.

We hope this is the start of a glut of set-piece goals. Failing to score from one during the first seven Premier League fixtures feels like it could be an anomaly. 

WINGERS SHOW IMAGINATION

With Christos Tzolis and Bukayo Saka out injured, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have an opportunity to impress. Pleasingly, both wide men excelled against David Moyes’ side. 

Madueke performed with confidence throughout, showing glimpses of real invention in and around the 18-yard box. 

The England international produced one fabulous turn to bamboozle the Toffees defence; and on another occasion he brought the ball down beautifully before drilling a fierce shot just wide of the post. 

His dribbling always puts opponents on the back foot (in this clash Madueke attempted eight dribbles) and that forceful drive had a positive impact on his teammates. 

As shown above, our flamboyant winger made a stream of high-speed runs (between 20-25km/hr) as well as the most sprints of any Arsenal man. 

Eze, fresh from his fantastic UEFA Champions League goal against Bayern Munich, was also in sizzling form. 

It was great to see him make off-the-ball runs in behind the right-back, like this one from Mikel Merino’s terrific pass.

His willingness to carry the ball past defenders on the outside is also becoming a more prominent facet of Eze’s game. 

Showing terrific pace to drive past Merlin Rohl, he was unlucky not to create an assist for Viktor Gyokeres from this classic piece of wing play. 

Eze looks more at home in this different role, with every passing week. 

BREAKING LINES

During last weekend’s tense 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, we did not move the opposition around enough, mainly due to a lack of bright movement and bravery with our distribution. 

In this fixture, we corrected that superbly, moving the ball faster, and by taking fewer touches. 

Everton’s desire to press us higher than usual, rather than sitting in a deep low block all game, certainly helped our cause. 

A little too sharp for the visitors, and with individuals full of purposeful running, we consistently broke the lines. 

When you study the data for line-breaking passes in midfield, and inside the final third, its clear we outplayed the Toffees in this key department. 

GABRIEL’S MILESTONE

One of our standout performers at the weekend was central defender Gabriel Maghalaes, who marked his 200th Premier League appearance for us with a dominant display. 

His 21st goal for us in the competition was a wonderful header, created by some quality football from Bruno Guimaraes and Ben White. 

White’s teasing cross was perfect for the Brazil international, who found himself free in a 3v2 to attack the ball. 

This was his 14th headed goal, drawing Gabriel level with the legendary Ian Wright. In the Premier League era, only Olivier Giroud (27) has scored more headers for the club. 

In defence, he also marshalled the awkward Thierno Barry with distinction, making a series of well-timed interceptions and ball recoveries. 

And whenever the ball was sent into our box, the big man was always first to it, making an impressive eight clearances. 

Back on the goal trail, and growing in form each week, it feels like Gabriel is getting back to his imperious best.