The visitors took the lead through Martin Odegaard's volley at the end of the first half, moments after Richarlison had an effort disallowed for offside by the VAR.

Richarlison had another attempt ruled out by VAR just before the hour mark, before the Brazilian drew the Toffees level with a 79th-minute header when Gray's shot came back off the bar.

Gunners substitute Eddie Nketiah should have restored his side's lead in the 84th but he somehow hit the post with a header from point-blank range.

Gray then secured Everton's first victory in nine league outings by firing home a long-range cracker that went in off the post in the second minute of additional time.

There could have been another for Everton but former Gunners attacker Alex Iwobi, who had come off the bench, could not convert a one-on-one opening but in the end they held on as Arsenal substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who hasn't scored since October, shot wide with the last kick of the game.

The game ended with the crowd in delirium, having earlier seen some Everton fans leaving their seats in the 27th minute in protest over the running of the club - come 2022 it will be 27 years since the Toffees last won a trophy.

It came a day on from Marcel Brands leaving his role as Everton's director of football, and the club saying boss Rafael Benitez would continue to receive owner Farhad Moshiri and the board's "full support" in the aftermath of last Wednesday's painful 4-1 derby loss to Liverpool.

Everton moved up from 16th to 12th while Mikel Arteta's remained seventh.

Captain Seamus Coleman praised the Everton fans who lifted the Toffees in the face of adversity after they fell behind, and also singled out Gray's performance.

"We knew whatever goes on behind the scenes, the fans always come here to support us," Coleman told Sky Sports.

"I tell him (Gray) every day. Sometimes these players don't realise how good they can be.

"He has bundles of ability. He needs to work hard every day as that is what the top players do."

Australian Associated Press