Mikel Arteta has ‘belief and confidence’ in Arsenal’s Premier League title bid

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted being top at Christmas again gave him belief and confidence to finally turn that advantage into success.

For the third time in four previous years – and fifth in the competition’s history – the Gunners lead the Premier League on December 25, but they have yet to convert that into a title win.

The 1-0 victory at Everton courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty ensured they reclaimed top spot from Manchester City, who had overtaken them earlier in the day.

“It gives me belief and confidence: the level of performance and the consistency of that,” said Arteta.

“It is very difficult to do in this league so it means the team is consistently there.

“We enjoy the process of winning. We will have to go to difficult places and have difficult moments. We have dealt with a lot of things already and we are there.!

Gyokeres’ first goal in six games was handed to him mainly by Jake O’Brien’s inexplicable handball and then by captain Martin Odegaard choosing him over Bukayo Saka.

Arteta is happy for the players to take responsibility for those on-field decisions.

“Great decision. Very happy for him,” he added.

“They took ownership on the pitch between Martin, Bukayo and him and decided who was the taker and he put the ball in the of the net.

“I love it when players take ownership and make the decision themselves.

“(It showed) the confidence of the player who practises every day and is unbelievable at it.”

Gyokeres’ penalty decided the game, but the hosts had a valid claim for a spot-kick of their own when William Saliba’s attempted clearance saw him kick Thierno Barry in the second half, however, VAR ruled no foul had been committed.

Everton manager David Moyes was diplomatic in his response.