Result: Arsenal 3 – 2 Everton
Competition: Premier League
Date: 23 February 2020
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Ceballos, Ozil, Pepe, Aubameyang, Nketiah
Subs: Martinez, Sokratis, Guendouzi, Torreira, Nelson, Saka, Lacazette
After being treated to clean sheets in recent games, fans at the Emirates feasted on a goal fest that ended 3-2 in favour of Arsenal. Everton scored within 50 seconds but Arsenal hit back with two goals from Nketiah and Aubemeyang. Richarlison’s goal during first half stoppage time dampened the mood but Aubameyang responded with a goal within 46 seconds in the second half to win the Gunners their three points.
This win moves Arsenal up to ninth, a mere 4 points off Manchester United who currently occupy the last Champions League spot.
First Half
Arsenal’s last comprehensive win at home against Newcastle prompted Arteta to keep most of the players from that game in the lineup, with Saka being rested in place of Kolasinac the only big change. Eye brows were also raised with the return of youngster, Nketiah, to spearhead the attack in place of the more experienced Lacazette.
But it’s the technical midfield trio of Xhaka, Ceballos and Ozil who got our tongues wagging as we hoped to see their good vein of form continue against a resurgent Everton side.
Despite all the positivity from the good run of results, that mood was quickly punctured 50 seconds into the game with a goal by the visitors. Arsenal conceded a free kick that was whipped into the box at pace. The ball deflected off the back of David Luiz who took a second to realize where it was. Unfortunately, Calvert-Lewin was quicker to the ball. His well-taken acrobatic effort took everyone by surprise and put Everton in front. 0-1 Everton.
Arsenal had to respond by playing their natural game and play it they did. Ceballos’ zipped passes into feet and Ozil’s deft flicks were the main instigators in finding a comeback. The team’s quick exchanges constantly put Everton under pressure but could only point to Bellerin’s long range effort as their as their sole attempt on goal within the first 10 minutes.
Arsenal’s cavalier approach almost got Everton a second goal from counters with Iwobi’s effort going just wide and Mustafi making a last ditch tackle respectively as the Gunners were exposed in search of a goal.
Things got a little worse for the Gunners when Kolasinac collided with Sidibe when challenging for an aerial ball on 15 minutes. It first looked like a head injury but the Bosnian left back was seen clutching his right arm as he was substituted for the promising Bukayo Saka.
And it didn’t take long for Saka to make an impact in the game. He first pulled a short cross for Pepe who curled the ball only for Pickford to make a decent catch. Just a minute later, Saka was close to the byline and whipped in a curler towards the 6 yard box. Nketiah’s predatory instincts kicked in and the young striker darted in and coolly finished to put the home side level. 1-1 Arsenal.
The goal gave Arsenal the confidence to dominate the game and they made their dominance count with a second goal. David Luiz made a confident stride into midfield and picked out Aubameyang with an eye of the needle pass. The vision and weight of the pass were magnificent and its beauty was matched by Aubameyang’s run and finish. The Gabon forward evaded Sidibe, made a clear run at goal and slotted the ball into far post. Classic Henry Aubameyang. 2-1 Arsenal.
Just when we thought that Arsenal would go into the break ahead, Everton scored a scruffy goal just seconds before the half-time whistle, again from a set piece. The Gunners initially cleared the corner. Sigurdsson lashed at the rebound but it looped awkwardly back into the box. Richarlison was quick to stick out a boot at the ball and sneak it under Leno’s legs to make it 2-2 on the cusp of half time.
Second Half
If Everton managed to score within the first 50 seconds of the first half, Aubameyang had ideas of his own and went on to score within a mere 46 seconds. Aubameyang showed his elite striking instincts with a header from the penalty spot area after good work from Ozil to free Pepe down the right to cross for Arsenal’s number 14.
The goal meant that Aubameyang tied with Vardy at the top of the league’s goalscoring charts with 17 goals – not bad for a player who has been playing in a dysfunctional team for the first half of the season. 3-2 Arsenal, Aubameyang brace.
The next 15 minutes were an even affair as Arsenal kept Everton at bay when the Toffees cranked up the pressure after bringing on Andre Gomes and the mercurial Bernard.
After allowing the ball to squirm under his legs in the first half, Leno redeemed himself on 70 minutes with an excellent save from Calvert-Lewin. Saka tripped and lost the ball on the halfway line to allow Everton to attack. Richarlison headed down the ball for Calvert-Lewin who stabbed in towards goal. Leno had to keep his body big to block the attempt and show that the last goal was an exception to the rule.
Leno was called into the action again just minutes later as Calvert-Lewin found space down the right. The striker aimed for the far post but the German’s kneeling stance helped to deflect the shot with his ankle.
Arsenal could have wrapped up the result on 85 minutes when Arsenal penned Everton defenders back with an aggressive press up top. This caused Pickford to pass to Sigurdsson who was caught out by Xhaka at the edge of the box. The ball found its way to Nketiah whose shot rebounded off the crossbar.
But the drama did not end there. Set pieces seemed to be Arsenal’s weakness in this game and the Gunners almost conceded a late equalizer in stoppage time but for Calvert-Lewin’s header that went just wide.
Arsenal eventually managed to see out the game to maintain their unbeaten streak in 2020.
What the actual shit is going on with Mustafi’s hair?
Are you joking, imagine having to look at Arteta’s glorious hair everyday.. anyway amazing that we’ve started coming back into games like we used to !
On the subject Mikel’s barnet, the guy that developed the Lego human figure passed away this past week. Let’s just take a moment to give thanks for his efforts.
He mustaf dyed it
It was to honour his all-time Arsenal hero Philippe Senderos?
Hahaha..well played pal, long may this beautiful winning feeling continue?
Mustafi was a monster today
Branding the renaissance, a confident cocky move, because it draws attention to him when everyone thinks he shouldn’t be doing that.
What the actual fuck is going on with mustafi full stop.
He found god and he told him not to be anxious about the next moment because the birds don’t worry about food they’ll eat. Then he put an arm around him, told him he was his dearly beloved and that he had a simple plan for him in the system.
Maybe it’s like a reverse Samson thing
he misunderstood what a highlights reel is
I am loving this new mentality. COYG!!!
Arteta really has established a mentality, a fortitude, a structure, and a style. And he’s been in charge for 3 months. Amazing. We were tired, and thus we sat back and defended that lead, but we did the job. That’s what it is all about. We can bemoan the goals against a few chances we gave up in the end, but we won, so please don’t overdo it. And for those who were championing Ancelotti for Everton’s upturn in form leading up to this, Arteta won. We have the better manager going forward. How about Aubameyang? My goodness, what a… Read more »
We have better players.
Munching the toffees and on we march forward. Bring on the rest.
Don’t underestimate how difficult it was to play thrice in a week.
But about time we rode our luck.
Massive, massive 3 points !!
Leno the most underrated keeper in the league. Saved us yet again.
Xhaka-Ceballos solid.
Saka is a special, special talent.
Auba’s world class movement and finishing the difference once again.
And Mustafi transforming into prime Maldini might be the best story of Arteta’s reign so far.
Top 4 is back on. COYG !!
Three wins in a week feels damn good. We missed that
Top 4 is still tricky but at least we’re giving it a real go
Speaking of things missed, I see St Totteringhams approaching…
This team is damn resilient… What a match! Game on…
That was a proper, old fashioned 6-pointer. Get in!
What a game bro ?
Arsenal are back.
It was close but 3 points baby.
Some games would pass our GK by with next to nothing to do. Some game like tonight’s one though.. it’s GK that makes the difference between winning and drawing. In the last 20 minutes or so, where we were hanging on to our 1 goal lead + defending from Everton’s endless aerial bombardment, things could very easily have changed anytime. We’re just one brain fart tackle in penalty box, or one deflection, or a GK loose hands away from conceding. Glad we have safe, calm & composed hands in Leno. We’ve came a long way from the days of Almunia… Read more »
That was awesome! Haven’t been so thrilled for quite a long time. Let’s kick it from here! May Artetaball oficially begins!
*Miki-taka
Or Teta-Taka 🙂
Great win, Auba and Leno are so important to us. Let’s keep going.
What a narrow escape!
Makes colonoscopy a nightmare
Arteta is the real deal, yet Bukayo Saka is realest.
It’s games like these that forge a bond.
It’s games like these that sharpen winning mentality.
It’s games like these that prove WE CAN FUCKING do it.
Everton dominated the second half because they are a lot fresher. But we held on and this is a HUGE 3 points.
We move on! COYG!!
Somebody mentioned the other day that it would be fairer if teams were matched so that their winter breaks fell at the same time. I can’t help thinking about that point after today. The Arsenal players looked exhausted at 70 in comparison with the Everton players.
Man: God, what is the most torturous way to a heart attack
God: Watch Arsenal defend a 1 goal lead
Terrible defending for the two goals but good attacking. Too many balls given away.
But a good atmosphere at the stadium, have just left. Three points!
Thought both goals were dangerous high boots by toffees
Super saiyan Mustafi was one shiny wonder this game! but that Leno he giveth then he taketh away. What a second half from him. Onwards!!
SSJ Shkodran! that makes sense.
I usually feel like breaking mountains when I watch him play. A little less so now that he’s got that Ultra Instinct going ??
Thank fuck for Auba, Leno and Mustafi.
Mustafi looks like Cygan with that haircut
Also Senderos
What a win!?
a lot of luck today but good to get it for once
Maybe you will disagree, but Mustafi was my man of the match. Ozil had great positional play. Nketiah is looking sharper. Ceballos is finding form. Saka needs a rest, Arteta tried but Kolasinac flopped that. We continue to look well structured, the shots are popping off and now we need a little luck.
Mine too. There were plenty of contenders (Cellabos being one – loving his new deep lying position). That said, Everton are very strong aerially and what little we won came from Mustafi as well as some incredible last ditch challenges and a good passing range to play us out of trouble on several occasions.
I said the same thing in the pub today and my mates told me to stop it. He was immense. Won almost every aerial duel and had some big interventions. Fair play to him.
Loving this unbeaten run! I think Saka needs a rest though, he’s only 18 and we don’t want another Wilshere situation. I thought Leno was also fantastic, even though Everton were very poor in front of goal.
I just found out that Arsene’s middle names are Charles Ernest.
I love him even more now?
makes sense they spell ACE
Result! Forget the seesaw, enjoy the points!
It’s been a long time…..COYG!
I love Mustafi. Is that bad? 🙂
No, he’s being amazing for us.
It is called respect for a man of character, what a warrior.imagine the attitude in this dressing room with 3 struggling players earning and deserving so much damn respect. Ceballos, Mustafi, Xhaka…warriors
I had a feeling it wasn’t bad 🙂
No, am falling in love too
Mikel to get a first team ball playing CF in summer to challenge Eddie.
Lacas spirit is the lowest in this pack (an average, non-worldclass spirit), can’t have that heavy spirit as first team striker. You need to have the ability to smile wryly when you fuck shii up and get chasing like a refresh pronto directly.
Lacazette never ever quits…never
That is just the narrative built by Laca fans
Last 3 months he has been moving slower than a tortoise and can’t even make more than 2 runs per match
That is just the narrative built by anti Laca
You can appear to put effort but if you don’t conquer the mind and always stay gloomy, low-energied and negative (for whatever reason,??perhaps his wife has had an affair IMO, no disrespect), you’re not likely to produce a lot of light.
‘I think’ this shii is above most ppls heads though #fairwarning
26 seconds not 46 i think for the winning goal. Everton have been grinding out results something we would have loved post Emery, but hope everyone can see the bigger picture of having a system and style in place and results will eventually follow. We did get lucky in the end, but we deserve it for all the not so good evenings.
The players deserve it for the graft they are putting in. There is an obvious difference in the effort and application that we are seeing the players show, and it is because they are clearly buying into the system that Arteta has developed, and it’s inherent demands. They have clairty rather than a confused message and boy does it show. They are enjoying playing not only for him, but for one another, trying to not only match but surpass each others intensity, and the we’re seeing the fruits of that labour. As the old saying goes, you make your own… Read more »
Up to ninth place!
Wow. How bad of a coach was Unai…ARTETA’S RED WHITE ARMY!
Very Small margins separate happiness and toxicity
Quite a tough game, coupled with the fact that this is our third game in one week.
I always knew we’ll need more than a goal to beat them. But to come from a goal down makes it better.
Three winnable games on the horizon: the Champion’s league push is truly on.
Ooh, that was a close one. Scared stiff each time Everton went arieal in our box. Our lack of coverage om left back almost cost us the game, a tired Saka did a lot of mistakes tonight, but another excellent assist. No blame to him, at 18 you cant expect stability.
Arsenal scored 3 pure football goals today. Everton scored two pinball goals. Onwards and upwards!
Love arteta ball
Commentators are generally cunts but I love the way it sounds like he says “Thierr-Emerick Aubameyang for Auba’s second goal.
remember when mustafi first started and we didnt lose when he started?
That Aubameyang goal was so classic Henry and seeing him in the replay from the back wearing the 14…
Chills…
Very good result, let´s continue to build momentum. I am happy for Eddie, he is working very hard and I like how he is proving his doubters wrong. Personally I prefer him over Lacazette at this moment in time. Ceballos would be very close to my man of the match, I didn´t know that he has a defensive midfielder in him, brilliant. Mustafi had an impressive game today – maybe his best for Arsenal, give him credit where it´s due, hopefully he can continue to work like this. Leno more than made up for his mistake for second Everton goal,… Read more »
How good was Mustafi today especially in the second half! Better than Sergio Ramos! That’s what an inspirational coach can do.
A crucial win to keep up the momentum. I was screaming at Bellerin to get back and mark Richarlison, who seemed to be their only threat in the second half. He didn’t do it, but lucky we weren’t punished.
Auba’s goal shows why he is just as effective playing from the left.
I loved guendouzi’s impact.
Nketiah growing on me. Not panicking about our ageing strikers as much. He’s showing he has potential.
Hope we can recharge.
Let’s not forget – as close as it was at times today – we had the cruellest of luck at the worst possible times… the sucker punch before Leno hardly had his gloves on and then that scruffy piece of mistimed opportunism on the stroke of halfies… Emery’s Arsenal woulda run screaming for the hills.
Instead we crafted 3 utterly classy goals – as opposed to the two scrambled mix-ups that Everton got.
It bodes well chaps… it bodes very, very well.
Loreal! Mustafis worth it!
Under Arsene we’d have drawn that 3-3 and conceded an agonising late goal. Under Emery we lose it 1-0 to that early goal and the rest of the game would have been an awful watch. We were shaky today in a way we haven’t been of late, so I’ll assume Kola’s injury and the cluster of post-Winterlull fixtures got to us. Finally, fair play to Mustafi. Common sense told him to play sensibly and keep his head down, instead he starts playing Maldini balls and gets highlights. Shame the run of clean sheets had to come to an end, but… Read more »
Oh boy I am so pleased for this win! I cant wait to watch our next season!!!
The important thing is we dug in and showed character to press on get the win. Two scrappy goals by the, both really where we should have been more aware (and competitive) to second balls. BUT we created well today IMO and got ourselves back in, even held the ball well for long stretches to see it through. As mentioned, we are in the results business. This business of a ‘transitionary season’ entirely bullshit. Arteta knows this. We cannot afford to be out of CL. We are 4 points from 5th and with City’s ongoing issues, it is a remote… Read more »
Mustafi was excellent today but the hair…
Great. 3 more points to reach 40 and we’re safe from relegation
Did anyone else noted the grass? There seemed to be either some issue with the length of the grass making it difficult for the guys to run or may be Saka and Auba were knackered after the game in Greece?