Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was pleased with his side’s 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday but admits they need to be more clinical in front of goal.
Viktor Gyokeres scored the only goal of the game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a 27th minute penalty.
Despite numerous attempts throughout the tie, the visitors could not find a second goal but did enough to claim all three points to move into first place with with 39 points from 17 games, two clear of Manchester City in second spot.
Speaking after the game, Arteta told Sky Sports: “Very happy to win here. It’s a really difficult place to come. I think it is very organised.
“By the way, [I want to] take the opportunity to say what a beautiful stadium they’ve built. I had chills with the beauty of it, so congratulations.”
Arsenal next face Crystal Palace in a league cup quarter-final clash before taking on Brighton in the league after Christmas.
“The first half we had some moments where we were very dominant without really creating much,” added Arteta. “We scored the goal. And the second half we had three big open chances that if you want to be more relaxed at the end you have to take those chances in the Premier League.
“Those moments that you have to be more clinical to have bigger margins”
On Gyokeres taking the penalty, the head coach explained: “That’s what I hoped and they have to take initiative on the pitch. They decide that Viktor is the best taker and he scored, so what a great decision.
“You need to enjoy the process of winning and that’s going to be hard moments, difficult moments, great moments., That’s all part of that intention and how close we are winning, and that’s why we have to enjoy and take it game by game.”
