ARSENAL beat Everton 3-2 at the Emirates to put themselves right back in to the mix for European qualification.
The Gunners went one down less than a minute into the match when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s acrobatic effort put the visitors in front.
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Goals from Eddie Nketiah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Arsenal on top but they were pegged back late in the first half by Richarlison’s poked equaliser.
Arsenal were impressive to a man, particularly in the second half, and SunSport gives you the lowdown after the 3-2 win.
BERND LENO – 7
Couldn’t have done much about Calvert-Lewin’s opener but should really have done better with Richarlison’s equaliser, as the Brazilian’s poked effort squeezed between the German’s legs.
Improved after the break and was off his line quickly to deny both of Everton’s strikers on separate occasions to secure all three points for Arsenal.
HECTOR BELLERIN – 6
An unspectacular display from the Spaniard. Was perhaps guilty of leaving Mustafi isolated against Richarlison at times.
Still looks to be playing his way back to full fitness.
SHKODRAN MUSTAFI – 6
Beaten in the air under challenge but made some important defensive headers at the front post to get his team out of trouble.
No fourth clean sheet in a row for the Mustafi-David Luiz partnership but a win is a win.
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DAVID LUIZ – 6
Guilty on the first goal when beaten easily in the air by Yerry Mina whose header set up Calvert-Lewin.
But his ball to find Aubameyang for Arsenal’s second showed his prowess on the ball.
SEAD KOLASINAC – N/A
Subbed after quarter of an hour following a collision with Everton’s Djibril Sidibe. Replaced by Bukayo Saka.
DANI CEBALLOS – 6
Another positive display from the Spanish international as he looks to establish himself as a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s midfield.
Important in the build-up and drew fouls for his team. Could have added a goal with a curled effort that went just wide of the upright prior to his substitution.
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GRANIT XHAKA – 6
Guilty of losing a few balls in the first half but did get a ‘second assist’ for Nketiah’s goal and he improved on the ball after the break.
His tenacity almost led to a fourth Arsenal goal when he robbed Gylfi Sigurdsson of the ball late on, but Nketiah’s effort hit the crossbar.
NICOLAS PEPE – 8
Lively once again and Everton struggled to contain him for large periods.
Showed plenty of creativity and assisted Aubameyang’s winner with a cross from the right.
MESUT OZIL – 8
The German displayed a wonderful range of passing throughout and looks close to his best self in attack at least.
Played in Pepe to set up Arsenal’s winner and kept things ticking over in possession.
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PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG -9
His clinical finish put Arsenal in front for the first time in the game as he timed his run perfectly before slotting it into the bottom right corner when one-on-one with Jordan Pickford.
Headed Arsenal’s winner seconds after the break and was well deserving of man-of-the-match.
EDDIE NKETIAH -7
Repaid his manager’s faith and took his goal extremely well, getting on the end of Saka’s cross from the left with the deftest of touches to divert the ball into the bottom right corner.
Looked comfortable on the ball and was unlucky to hit the crossbar with an effort in the closing stages.
SUBS
Bukayo Saka -7
Impressed again after coming on for Kolasinac. Always venturing forward and his cross for Nketiah’s goal was inch-perfect.
Lucas Torreira -6
Matteo Guendouzi -5
