Goals: Everton: Rooney (12), Niasse (93). Arsenal: Monreal (40), Ozil (53), Lacazette (74), Ramsey (90), Sanchez (95).
Man of the Match/Goat of the Game: Ozil and Sanchez were outstanding as was the entire team. Mesut Ozil was the man of the match. Almost every touch was good, he was everywhere and was motivated.
Referee Rating: Craig Pawson 5. Pawson could’ve called Guaye for a foul in the lead up to their opening goal, but he would end up sending him off in the second half. He could’ve sent off Ashley Williams as well.
Manager Rating: Wenger 8. The team played sharply, with the team looking motivated for the match.
Arsenal performance: Arsenal delivered their best performance of the season. Defensively they looked solid, although they made two mistakes and were punished for it. Despite trailing for most of the opening half, Arsenal were the better team and just couldn’t finish off their good approach work. In the second half they opened up Everton a number of times and finally eased ahead. Once Everton fell a man down, Arsenal could coast to victory.
Conclusion: The Arsenal players delivered a much needed birthday present for Arsene Wenger, a solid performance away from home. Arsenal need to build on this performance as Manchester City looms ahead in two weeks.
Player Ratings:
Cech 6: Rooney was able to take his time and pick his spot on the opening goal, where Mertesacker helped to screen Cech. On the second goal Monreal made a poor back pass, although Cech probably should’ve kicked it in the opposite direction. Otherwise he had little to do most of the day.
Koscielny 7: Solid match from Laurent, who even came forward several times, one time delivering a fabulous cross to Ramsey, who shanked the ball wide.
Mertesacker 7: On the opening goal he could’ve tried to close down Rooney instead of standing back. Otherwise he was calm and assured for the rest of the match.
Monreal 7: Another goal for Nacho, who followed up the rebound from Xhaka’s shot. He was good until his poor back pass at the end of the match.
Bellerin 8: He was good throughout and looked a threat. He did make a couple of poor crosses, but he kept Baines from getting forward too often.
Xhaka 8: The opening goal came after Xhaka was fouled/tackled in a dangerous location. After that he was excellent, spraying passes and winning the ball in the middle. He even took a number of shots, the third hitting the crossbar.
Ramsey 8: Ramsey had a strong game in midfield and was always available in the box. That said, he should’ve scored from Koscielny’s cross, but he made amends by thumping home Wilshere’s through ball.
Kolasinac 7: A good all round match from Sead, who was solid most of the time on defence and who managed to get forward on many occasions.
Ozil 9: Right from the get go you could tell Mesut was in sharp form as he orchestrated one attack after another. He ended the game with a fine goal, a header no less, coming from a quick run into the box to get on the end of Sanchez’s chipped cross. He also assisted on Lacazette’s goal.
Lacazette 8: In the first half he latched onto a cross, beautifully turned and smashed his shot, only to find Pickford on top of him and robbing him of what would’ve been a great goal. He had other chances, but he finally scored in the second half when he thumped home Ozil’s cross.
Sanchez 9: He looked up for the game and he delivered. He finally got his goal in the last minute of the match, but it was well deserved and rewarded his tireless work. He assisted on Ozil’s goal. Everton had trouble containing him the entire match.
Substitutes:
Wilshere 7: Jack’s return to the Premier League saw him assist on Ramsey’s goal.
Coquelin n/a: He came on late to add some defensive stability.