In the downpour at the Emirates, two goals from Arsenal's centre-backs — Ezri Konsa and Gabriel — did more than just secure victory over Everton 2:0. They allowed the champions to draw level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after eight rounds. Both clubs have collected 21 points apiece, but the Citizens have already dropped points, having lost to Aston Villa.
This moment lays bare the season's central intrigue: the title race is turning into a marathon of endurance, where chance and squad depth matter more than a star-studded lineup. City began with seven straight wins, but the defeat in Birmingham opened the door. Arsenal, deprived of Bukayo Saka through injury, did not falter and seized the chance.
The key to the Gunners' success is not individual brilliance but collective discipline and a return to set-piece strength. Konsa scored his first goal for the club from a corner, ending a 13-match run without goals from corners. Gabriel added a second on his 200th Premier League appearance, heading home a Ben White cross. These details speak to how Mikel Arteta is building a team capable of winning even without key players.
Compared with City, the difference in approaches becomes obvious. The Citizens under Pep Guardiola rely on control and creativity, but their vulnerability to counter-attacks and the pressure of external factors — the financial investigation — may tell later. Arsenal, by contrast, show pragmatism: minimal effort for maximum result in conditions of downpour and fatigue after a Champions League match.
A simple analogy: it is like two runners in a long-distance race. One leads with a cushion but stumbles on a bump. The second, slightly behind, accelerates at precisely that moment, using the opponent's momentum. Arsenal are that kind of runner right now — not the flashiest, but consistent.
For Everton under David Moyes, the defeat was yet another confirmation of problems in attack. The team created few dangerous chances, and the defence could not cope with set pieces. In the table the Toffees have dropped to ninth place, and their season risks turning into a battle for survival if solutions are not found.
Ahead lie matches against Liverpool for Arsenal and Brighton for City. This parity at the top of the table only underlines: in the Premier League 2026/27, the title will go not to the one who starts brightest, but to the one who best survives the inevitable setbacks and capitalises on others' mistakes.
