Arsenal are still winning the ugly games that matter

Arsenal's 1-0 win against Everton at the weekend was not one for the ages, but it was another one of those incredibly important, but ugly, games that matter.

A Viktor Gyökeres penalty was all that separated the sides in their first meeting at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as the Gunners battled with the tough Toffees to take all three points back to north London and return to the top of the table.

The victory on Merseyside was certainly an ugly matchup as Mikel Arteta's side had to withstand frequent Everton attacks throughout the game, but coming away with the win was all that mattered and that has been a consistent occurrence so far this season.

Arsenal are still winning the ugly games that matter

Any Arsenal fan will tell you that a trip to Everton isn't exactly easy. Going into the match, the Gunners had won just one of their last seven Premier League visits to the blue part of Merseyside, four of which have ended in defeat.

Ahead of the game, supporters were aware of how tough the test would be, but Arteta's side did exactly what they needed to do and took away an all-important victory, something they have been so good at doing since this campaign began.

Everton away was one of the many games in which Arsenal dropped point last season as an Iliman Ndiaye penalty ensured the points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in April. Their constant failure to win proved a big part in their failure to win the Premier League, but they already seem to have rid themselves of that habit this time round.

Not all wins are pretty and the victory at the Hill Dickinson was one of many ugly, but crucial, victories that the Gunners have secured this season. Arteta's side have already managed scrappy wins against Manchester United, Newcastle, Fulham and Wolves, all during which they didn't play their best football and find themselves under the cosh, but saw out the result.

As so many have said before, that is the mentality that is needed for a team looking to win a league title. In their previous failures, Arsenal have performed poorly in multiple games and dropped points as a result, but this season, they aren't always putting on their best display, but are still securing the victories.

The gap between themselves and Man City is just two points and their nearest challengers are currently in good form, but if the Gunners continue to win the ugly games that matter, along with performing well to secure dominant victories, they should really be fancying their chances of finally winning the league under Arteta.