Arsenal had to push and push to get the better of Everton, with the breakthrough coming late courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman.
Arsenal needed to win, and they did, with Gyokeres and Dowman delivering the goods.
There was controversy, as Kai Havertz was denied a penalty in the first half, but the win pushes the incident to the backseat for now.
North London belongs to Dowman, the leader of Arsenal’s next generation.
After a HUGE result at the Emirates, here’s how the Arsenal squad rated.
Who was Arsenal’s Man of the Match against Everton?
HUGE WIN.
David Raya – 7
It seems like a weekly occurrence that we see Raya pull off strong saves to save Arsenal. The Spaniard was reliable as ever against Everton.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7
An orchestrator of chaos, Calafiori certainly made his presence known in the game. The left-back’s highlight was the stupendous scorpion kick-like block to deny almost a certain Dwight McNeil goal.
William Saliba – 6
Saliba was reliable in defence, but what was most noticeable about the Frenchman’s performance was how often he looked to play progressive passes. The defender had the right idea, but more often than not was unable to execute his plan.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Gabriel was a duel-winning monster, which is not a surprise given the Brazilian’s performance level this season. Only criticism was that his passing was looser than usual.
Jurrien Timber – 3
Timber just wasn’t at the races against Everton. He struggled to provide support for Saka on the right side, often took up strange positions in the final third and then saw his afternoon end early due to injury. The Dutchman has looked shattered in recent weeks. Let’s hope he is finally given a rest and that his injury is not serious.
🤔 TRUE or FALSE: Jurrien Timber has been limiting Bukayo Saka’s performances…
Martin Zubimendi – 4
For all of Zubimendi’s attacking qualities, it’s difficult to look at the Spaniard and deny that he’s playing too negatively at present. Whether it’s tiredness or a lack of confidence, something needs to improve.
Declan Rice – 4
Rice has not been at his usual level for some time, and he was the same against Everton. The Englishman is just not having the impact he once did in the final third, possibly because of his and Zubimendi’s fatigue.
Eberechi Eze – 7
Eze needed to have a big performance, and he did, standing out as Arsenal’s brightest attacker against Everton. The playmaker linked well with his teammates and offered the most goal threat, getting fans out of their seats with his efforts.
Noni Madueke – 6
Madueke was shifted over to the left, and he lacked the spark he offered on the right in midweek against Bayer Leverkusen. Whenever Madueke did appear on the right, he looked like a different player, making it clear to Arteta where his preference lies.
Bukayo Saka – 3
Saka will wonder how he didn’t score against Everton as Jordan Pickford made a superb save to deny his header in the opening 12 minutes. Other than that, the 24-year-old’s below-par form continued.
Kai Havertz – 5
Havertz made the Gunners’ play more fluid in attack in the early stages, as seen by the positions in which Havertz received the ball. He fell out of the game as time went on, being replaced by Gyokeres on the hour mark.
YES or NO: Did Kai Havertz deserve a penalty against Everton?
Cristhian Mosquera – 5
Mosquera came on late in the first half to replace Timber. The young Spaniard looked assured on the ball, but given the need for Arsenal to switch up in attack, it was rather bewildering that he came on instead of Ben White, a more natural right-back.
Viktor Gyokeres – 5
Gyokeres did nothing when coming on, but when his team needed him most, he was there. Scored a massive goal in the title race, going from zero to hero.
Gabriel Martinelli – 3
Martinelli also offered very little when coming on, showing once again how short of quality Arsenal are on the wings.
Max Dowman – 10
A standout. The teenager came on and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. His confidence and quality were evident from the moment he stepped on the pitch.
The architect of Gyokeres’ goal and a goal himself, 16 years old, need we say more?
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