Arsenal have sloppily dropped points against Everton following a 0-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium earlier tonight. Arsenal goalie Leno’s own goal in the 78th minute was the differentiating factor between the two teams at the full-time whistle.
Everton started the game on a positive and were the closest to scoring in the first half. Arsenal dominated possession of the ball but failed to trouble the visitors with their endeavours high up the pitch. The game opened up a bit in the second half.
Arsenal could have possibly taken the lead in the second half with a volley, but at the end of the day, Everton were the ones to return home with all 3 points. Six points now separate the two sides, with the Toffees having a game in hand. Here’s the Arsenal player ratings from a disappointing defeat against Everton.
Arsenal Player Ratings From A Disappointing Defeat Against Everton
GK: Bernd Leno – 5/10
Leno made a couple of impressive saves in the first half before gifting the winner to the visitors in the 76th minute of the match in an embarrassing fashion. The less said about this one, the better.
RB: Calum Chambers – 7/10
The full-back had a satisfactory evening but could have done better with his effort on goal in the second half.
CB: Rob Holding – 7/10
Holding was commanding in the heart of Arsenal’s defence as he stood tall to Everton’s Calvert Lewin for most parts of the match.
CB: Pablo Marí – 7/10
Just like his partner, Mari put up a good display against Everton. It would not surprise me to see the defender start against Villarreal midweek. Mari was calm and composed on the ball during both the offensive and defensive phases.
LB: Granit Xhaka – 7/10
Xhaka seemed to play effortlessly at the makeshift left-back position. Apart from a few bad moments in the second half, Xhaka seemed to be pulling strings for the North London giants from the left-hand side of the field.
LCM: Thomas Partey – 6/10
Not of the best nights for Partey at the Emirates Stadium. The former Atletico Madrid player made a couple of sloppy passes, which could have made the night worse for Mikel Arteta’s men. Nor did he show the driving runs that Arsenal desperately needed on a night like this.
RCM: Dani Ceballos – 7/10
Ceballos started the game with good attacking intent and even found himself in the dangerous areas of the pitch. However, a swifter response on at least two of the occasions in the first half from Ceballos would have turned the fixture around. Atleast he tried his best, and you have to laud him for that.
AM: Emile Smith Rowe – 6/10
The youngster could not have a meaningful impact on the fixture but gave the Emirates faithful a few glimpses of the talent he possesses.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 7/10
Saka was well marked by Digne down the right-hand side, and it made things difficult for the youngster. Not his best display by any means.
LW: Nicolas Pépé – 7.5/10
One of Arsenal’s liveliest players on the pitch and seemed a constant threat during his stint at the pitch before being replaced by Martin Odegaard.
ST: Eddie Nketiah – 7/10
Despite not getting on the score sheet, Nketiah has given Arteta loads to think about with his work ethics and his movement across the pitch. Yes, his positioning could have been better on a couple of occasions, but you have to excuse his rustiness to the limited time on the pitch he has received this season.
Arsenal Player Ratings From A Disappointing Defeat Against Everton
Substitutes
CM: Martin Ødegaard – 6/10
Odegaard did not have a meaningful impact on the fixture post his introduction in the 74th minute.
ST: Gabriel Martinelli – 6/10
Martinelli had an effort on goal close to the full-time whistle which was saved by Everton’s Pickford.
ST: Willian – NA
