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| Everton's Seamus Coleman scores the equaliser (Reuters) |
The Gunners, who had won their previous three games, were rewarded for an impressive start as Alexis Sanchez's free-kick deflected in off Ashley Williams.
Everton equalised just before half-time when Seamus Coleman glanced home Leighton Baines' excellent cross.
The Toffees, encouraged by a vocal crowd, dominated thereafter and Williams powered home a late header to complete the turnaround.
Home captain Phil Jagielka was sent off in the dying minutes for a second bookable offence and Arsenal had two shots cleared off the line in a frantic finale.
But they could not prevent a first league defeat since their opening match of the season, leaving them three points behind leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
Everton, meanwhile, are up to seventh, four points behind fifth-placed Tottenham.
MATCH HIGHLIGHT
Everton 2-1 Arsenal Highlights
[ English Premier League 2016-17 Match ]
20′ 0 – 1 Alexis Sanchez scored in 20th minute with a lucky deflected freekick to put Arsenal in lead.
44′ 1 – 1 Seamus Coleman brought Everton back into the game at stroke of halftime.
86′ 2 – 1 Ashley Williams scored late in second half with a thumping header to make it 2-1 for Everton.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY:
Everton manager Ronald Koeman on BT Sport:
"The first 20 minutes, that was really poor. We were very nervous and unsure. Every ball back. Mistakes and no aggression. After that we played face to face and showed unbelievable spirit to come back and we deserved the win. We were lucky in the last situation but we played great football and the support of the fans, it makes Goodison Park really difficult to beat us here.
"Sometimes it is difficult to understand why we start so poorly at the beginning. Of course there is some lack of confidence but show your personality. We showed big personality." "We showed two faces. The first face I hate that face because it is all about being nervous. You cannot lose the game like that. This was a good match though because we showed how we have to play - with commitment and aggression. You see the reaction of the crowd when you go for it and that's what we did.
"On Monday, the game against Liverpool is of course a totally different situation now we go with three points in the pocket. We know we are strong at home and still unbeaten. If we play with the passion we showed tonight we will do well. We will learn from this match, it was a great result."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, speaking to BBC Sport:
"I don't think with five to go we deserved to lose the game but we were caught on two headers. I think especially on the first one we were guilty, the second one was from a corner. We controlled Romelu Lukaku well but two defenders scored. Maybe we made it easy for them when they became more physical. They played a real cup game tonight."They defended well even when we controlled the game. We created chances but not too many were clear-cut. We battled hard. We put everything in and the players are very disappointed."
"It was a very physical game, we faced many physical challenges and that disturbed our game but we were a bit unlucky to lose as well.
"We had chances in the first half, especially from Mesut. They defended well, they played a cup game, and at the end of the day it was two defenders in their team who scored.
"They were a bit scared at first but they got their confidence. We did fight, I cannot fault that."
What next?
The win could not have come at a better time for Everton as they prepare for Monday's Merseyside derby with Liverpool at Goodison Park (20:00 GMT). However, they will be without Jagielka following his dismissal.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are back in the north west of England as they visit Manchester City on Sunday (16:00 GMT).
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