Everton sink Arsenal by 1-2 in the Premier League fixture as Yerry Mina’s winner piles pressure on Mikel Arteta.
Another day, but the same woeful performance by Arsenal. Arsenal offered a little fight, true but quality in front of the goal mattered as Everton took a deserving victory. With this win Everton move to 2nd place behind cross-town rivals, Liverpool. Arsenal on the other hand finds themselves in 15th place.
Arsenal came into the match without a win in the last 6 Premier League games and with their worst ever start to a season in almost 50 years. With this defeat to Everton, Arsenal have now lost 7 times in the last 10 games. Their opponents on the other hand capped a perfect week after defeating Chelsea, Leicester City, and Arsenal in space of 7 days.
EVERTON 1-2 ARSENAL TEAM NEWS:
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed out for the first time this season due to a Calf-strain. New signing Partey still continues to recover from his injury, Gabriel and Xhaka missed out due to Suspension. Hector Bellerin was dropped after serving a one-match ban and youngster Gabriel Martinelli was available for the first time since March.
Everton are still without Lucas Digne. Seamus Coleman is available for selection. As confirmed by Carlo Ancelotti both new signings James Rodriguez and Allan missed out.
Former Gunner Alex Iwobi starts with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line.
EVERTON 1-2 ARSENAL MATCH ANALYSIS:
Everton dominated the early exchanges with Abdoulaye Doucouré neutralizing a weak Arsenal midfield. Chances were at a premium for both sides as Michael Keane’s long-shot kept Bernd Leno on his toes. Alex Iwobi’s cross was miscued by Dominic-Calvert Lewin but an unfortunate Rob Holding diverted it into his own net.
After going behind Arsenal reacted with much more intent. The referee pointed towards the penalty spot when Maitland-Niles was clipped inside the box. Nicolas Pepe scored the penalty to make it 1-1. At the stroke of half time, Yerry Mina restored the lead for the Toffees after his header beat Bernd Leno at his near post.
Arsenal started the second half lively and were nearly rewarded for their persistence. But an unfortunate David Luiz’s shot hit the post to the relief of Jordan Pickford. Everton were cautious in the second-half willing to play on the counter. Arsenal were able to pressurize Everton, but the Gunners lacked the quality to pose the threat to a resolute Everton defense.
Youngster Bukayo Saka came close to equalizing in stoppage time only to be denied by a brilliant save from Jordan Pickford.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCE
Yerry Mina (8/10)– Bullied Arsenal forwards. Positioned himself properly and was tidy on the ball. His winner was well-earned in keeping with his good run of form.
Willian (3/10)– Brazilian looked like a shadow of a player that used to play for Chelsea. Blanked in all departments. One of the worst players on the pitch today.
Nicolas Pepe (4/10)– Scored a penalty today. But it doesn’t change the fact that how awful he was on that right-wing. Pocketed by an out-of-position Ben Godfrey. The £72 million signing was so wasteful with the ball at his feet.
MANAGER’S REACTION:
“We created more than Everton, for sure, We scored an own goal and conceded from a set-piece. We worked on it but obviously, they are good at doing it. A lot of situations at the end ended up in chances. In the end, it’s the last pass, the last dribble, the last shot and what we need is a bit of luck. We hit the bar.
In the last few weeks we’ve lost games where we were better than the opponents but this is football and it’s happening too often
– Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal face Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before hosting Chelsea on Boxing-day. If results don’t go well for Arsenal this week, Mikel Arteta could be sacked before the start of next week.
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