However, as against Newcastle United in their previous game, that hard-earned advantage was frittered away due to some careless defending and a worrying lack of mental resolve.

Of course, Everton won’t be the last team to fall victim to an Arsenal surge, the attacking play of Arsene Wenger’s outrageously gifted team capable of mesmerising any backline.

The hard facts, though, are revealing. The Goodison outfit haven’t kept a clean sheet since the 1-0 win over Derby County in April, a run of 16 games, and have now leaked a Premier League-worst 18 goals already this campaign.

Defensive and mental strength were the bedrocks of Everton’s achievements last season, but both have been eroded to an alarming degree.

Indeed, from the moment that Samir Nasri was the beneficiary of a dozing Yakubu three minutes after the interval to draw Arsenal level, there was a crushing inevitability about what transpired.

This defeat, though, wasn’t because of individual errors. This was a collective failure after the interval, when some greater composure and self-belief could have brought reward. Remember, games last 90 minutes and more, not just 45.

Overall, positives were hard to find. The lack of cover in midfield, with Segundo Castillo injured and Phil Neville having only just recovered from a hamstring injury, gave another opportunity to 17- year-old Jack Rodwell in the midfield holding role.

Unflustered and accomplished, the teenager prospered along in the first half but faded from view as Everton lost the initiative after the interval with Cesc Fabregas prompting proceedings. This was also another step along the learning curve for Rodwell’s fellow midfielder, Marouane Fellaini, who posted his best display yet in an Everton shirt.

The Belgian clearly still has some way to travel before he truly becomes accustomed to English football, particularly given the strange comments attributed to him last week concerning his reluctance to sprint.

It’s far too early to make any considered judgements but, having now faced Liverpool and Arsenal and with Manchester United to come next week, Fellaini will at least be aware of the standard to which Moyes will hope he must aspire.

The manager, though, was unhappy at the contribution of some players. No names were mentioned, but the increasingly disinterested performance of Yakubu, and his seemingly initial refusal to acknowledge his late substitution, must have irked Moyes.

Even Mikel Arteta cannot escape criticism. The Spaniard has struggled to replicate his best form this season and, despite retaining the captain’s armband, was a peripheral figure throughout on Saturday.

At least Steven Pienaar appears livelier with each game and it was his combination with Leon Osman that carved a ninth-minute goal of which Arsenal would have been proud.

Joleon Lescott and Yakubu were involved in the build up before Osman played Pienaar down the left – a source of much joy for Everton in the first half – and raced into the box to reach the South African’s return pass and side-foot beyond Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Osman almost had a second soon after when his shot from range deflected narrowly wide and, in the 38th minute, Almunia completely misjudged a Leighton Baines cross and Lescott’s header was cleared off the line by Gael Clichy.

But after Almunia flung himself bravely at the feet of Yakubu just seconds after the interval, Everton were barely in the Arsenal half, let alone their penalty area. Sparked by the introduction of England hero Walcott from the bench and a defensive rejig, Arsenal were a team transformed after the interval.

Within three minutes they were level, Yakubu caught in possession by Denilson on the edge of the area following a half- cleared Arsenal corner and, from Mikael Silvestre’s lay-off, Nasri fired home from 20 yards through Lescott’s legs.

Having earlier missed a whole host of presentable chances, Robin van Persie finally got his goal 20 minutes from time when incessant Arsenal pressure brought its reward. Emmanuel Adebayor fed Fabregas 16 yards out and, although Tim Howard made a great save to repel the Spaniard’s shot, van Persie was first to the rebound to head home. Everton’s misery was made complete in the final minute when Abou Diaby cut the ball back for fellow sub Walcott to slot the ball home between Howard’s legs.

Given Everton’s appalling record at Arsenal during the past 20 years, this defeat perhaps wasn’t too much of a surprise.

But their Premier League record against Manchester United is just as bad. And with the champions visiting Goodison on Saturday, concerned Evertonians would be forgiven for taking a trip to the chemist this week.