Gyokeres urges Arsenal to stay grounded in title race

Viktor Gyokeres has insisted Arsenal will take nothing for granted despite topping the Premier League table at Christmas.

Arsenal ensured they would be the table toppers for the festivities, courtesy of a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday evening. Gyokeres’s goal was the difference for the Gunners, as the Swedish striker emphatically converted a penalty, following Jake O’Brien’s handball.

Mikel Arteta’s side hold a two-point lead over Manchester City and Gyokeres has insisted there remains plenty of football to be played before Arsenal can contemplate the table.

The Gunners have previously topped the table at Christmas four times, including twice in the last three seasons, and have failed to win the Premier League on each occasion. In total, 17 of the 33 teams who were top of the Premier League at Christmas won the title, a success rate of 52%.

“It’s always a good feeling to win football matches and to be top of the table, but it doesn’t mean so much because it’s a long way to go and [there are] a lot of games still to play,” Gyokeres said after the win at Everton.

“But we still have a lot of games around Christmas, so of course I will enjoy it… but not too much!”

Gyokeres discusses decision to take penalty responsibility

Gyokeres took responsibility for the penalty, despite regular taker Bukayo Saka being on the pitch. Asked about that decision, the summer signing said: “We spoke a little bit on the pitch. It was an easy talk and then I took it. To be fair, a few months ago I took one, and it was nice to take one again and to score.

“We don’t think about it too much, we just wait for the decision. Then you know it’s a penalty and you just wait for the normal procedure. Nothing special, really.”

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