Standout players from Arsenal's ugly 1-0 win at Everton

The pressure was on for Arsenal when they visited Hill Dickinson Stadium to take on Everton on Saturday, December 20. Manchester City had claimed top spot in the Premier League earlier in the day after another typically free-flowing and possession-heavy display, leaving the Gunners to try and outmuscle the Toffees to end a run of three-straight away games without a win in England's top flight.

Fortunately, three points and a return to the summit were made possible once Victor Gyökeres netted a sorely needed goal from the penalty spot in the first half. Arsenal were grateful for some good fortune after Everton defender Jake O'Brien inexplicably tried to catch a cross from Declan Rice, but some luck was due Mikel Arteta's injury-hit squad.

There was nothing lucky about the way Arteta's team defended a slender lead, with full-backs Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori carrying the fight at both ends of the pitch. Up top was also where Bukayo Saka provided some rare inspiration for an otherwise typically ponderous Arsenal forward line.

Here's how the Gunners' three star men fared on the blue half of Merseyside.

1. Jurrien Timber

Timber has become a bankable eight out of ten in almost every match. This encounter was no different, as the Dutchman kept Arsenal on the front foot during the opening 45 minutes.

He was a consistent attacking outlet thanks to some tireless running, clever appreciation of space and some decent deliveries from the flank. Timber also showed nuance in his partnership with Saka, dovetailing his movement expertly with the winger's darts from out to in, as Arsenal's right-sided reliance continued unabated.

Altough he was called into defensive action more often after the break, former Ajax man Timber didn't shirk his reponsibilities. Instead, he stayed strong on the deck and was fully committed in aerial duels.

Everton were determined to draw Arsenal into as many airborne skirmishes as possible, and Gunners teams of years past might have folded. Arteta's team, while dull as dishwater from a technical standpoint, is at least physically strong enough to repel such challenges, thanks to rugged athletes like Timber.

It also helps to have a similarly tireless worker on the other side of defence.

2. Riccardo Calafiori

This was far from Calafiori's most stylish display, but not much was pristine for Arsenal when Everton were so committed to making the match a scrap. To his credit, Calafiori never went into hiding, sticking to both tasks required for his demanding dual-purpose role in Arteta's tactical plan.

It's a strategy that calls for Calafiori to take up cental positions in the final third. He was smart and selective about those wanderings against Everton, using good timing and neat use of the ball to knit together the few positive moments Arsenal enjoyed on the ball during the second half.

When he had to defend, Calafiori wasn't found wanting. The former Bologna man handled winger Dwight McNeil and tricky young midfield maestro Tyler Dibling well, but something else stood out more about Calafiori's game.

It was the way he stood up to a late aerial bombardment, when Everton launched plenty of long balls in his direction. The hosts' intent was to win headers at the edge of the box and flick the ball into the mixer to earn a scruffy equaliser, a sound strategy, but Calafiori wasn't buying.

There's no longer any need to be impressed simply at Calafiori keeping precocious Hale End academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly out of the starting XI. What's more impressive is how the Italian has elevated that decision above criticism.

Arteta made a big call at left-back, but there's one spot he never has to think about.

3. Bukayo Saka

He didn't score nor assist, but Saka consistently frustrated Everton with a series of dazzling tricks from the right wing. The magic came courtesy of quick feet, close control, slalom running with the ball and some deft and intelligent distribution.

Those things are typical of the best of Saka. Unfortunately, it's also typical to say the Gunners would've been close to non-existent as any kind of attacking force without their gifted No. 7 carrying the load.

Arsenal remain fortunate Saka is a player with truly world-class ability. He's somebody capable of being the weekly inspiration and the focal point going forward. That's how things played out against Everton, when Timber, Calafiori and midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard sought to play up to and off Saka.

It would still be a welcome sight to see Arteta extend the attacking approach beyond getting the ball to Saka and waiting for the magic to happen, but for now, if ain't broke, don't fix it.