Arsenal indebted to Bernd Leno as they hang on to move within sight of European place

So much for two managers bringing stability, calm and making their teams harder to beat.

But if they carry on producing entertainment like this, then no-one will complain because Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti delivered one of the games of the season.

Five goals, chances galore, kamikaze defending and, ultimately, a huge win for Arsenal which pushes them up to the dizzy heights of ninth but, more importantly, within sight of a European place.

Quite how Arsenal clung on is anyone’s guess because they looked shattered after a midweek trip to Athens, running on empty in the final 20 minutes and in debt to keeper Bernd Leno.

But of all the things Arteta has improved during his two months in charge – yes, it does seem much longer – the biggest is the heart, spirit and determination he has instilled.

Now this is a team ready to fight. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice but his man-of-the-match performance was also about hard work, fight and setting a captain’s example. The same can be said of Mesut Ozil while Bukayo Saka made a difference again.

It is incredible to think that Arteta and Ancelotti were installed on the same weekend before Christmas and, with both managers watching from the stands at Goodison Park, the two teams produced a dreadful goalless draw with no passion.

Now, fast forward to the Emirates, they both look a totally different proposition. Ancelotti lost but has got Everton going again. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is surely worth an England call-up and Richarlison was outstanding.

There was a feel good story, too, as Andre Gomes came on as a substitute to a brilliant reception just 112 days after suffering a horrific leg break.

But the day belonged to Arsenal with their third win in a week – even if they did make life difficult for themselves. The first goal came within a minute and was down to shambolic defending which Arsenal fans thought was a thing of the past under Arteta.

Gylfi Sigurdsson floated a free kick into the box, David Luiz got everything wrong and inadvertently headed it on to Calvert-Lewin who produced a spectacular acrobatic finish. Calvert-Lewin has now scored 12 goals in the Premier League, double his previous best tally.

Arsenal looked a mess, shell shocked and yet it all changed when Sead Kolasinac went off after a heavy collision with Djibril Sidibe and on came Saka. This kid is electric. A winger playing at full back, one they were not sure on a while back and now looks unstoppable.

Saka, 18, broke down the left, his cross was sensational, an open invitation for Eddie Nketiah who just had to steer the ball past Jordan Pickford.

For Saka that was his tenth assist of the season and Arsenal were not finished. Luiz brought the ball out of defence, played in Aubameyang and he raced clear before slotting a low shot past Pickford.

Then, in first half injury time, more controversy. Richarlison was booked for a late challenge on Dani Ceballos. Arsenal fans were calling for a red card but it never was. Then you just knew Richarlison would do something significant.

Moments later, Leighton Baines’ corner was not cleared, Sigurdsson’s shot into the ground created havoc, Yerry Mina headed on and Richarlison went in hard, got a faint touch and the ball went past Leno with the Arsenal keeper coming off second best.

It was crazy stuff but brilliant entertainment. Within a minute of the restart, Ozil played Nicolas Pepe down the right wing and Sidibe allowed Aubameyang to get across him and nod into the far corner.

Arsenal looked dead on their feet in the closing stages. Leno denied Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison at point blank range. Nketiah hit the bar when Pickford got caught playing out from the back.

The final whistle brought a huge sigh of relief for Arsenal and despair for Everton. No win at any of the top six in 38 matches, a run which stretches for six years and is a way too long for a club of their stature.