ARSENAL 2-1 EVERTON | CALVERT-LEWIN [1] NKETIAH [26] AUBAMEYANG [32]
Eddie Nketiah was again named ahead of Alexandre Lacazette for Arsenal’s visit of Everton.
Lacazette returned to the starting line-up to score the only goal in Thursday’s Europa League win over Olympiakos but dropped down to the bench as head coach Mikel Arteta opted to recall Nketiah.
Arteta made only one alteration from the 4-0 victory over Newcastle as Sead Kolasinac came in for Bukayo Saka at left-back.
Everton made five changes as Theo Walcott missed out against his former club through injury, with another ex-Arsenal man – Alex Iwobi – drafted in.
There were also starts for Fabian Delph, available after a ban, Mason Holgate, Leighton Baines and Djibril Sidibe, while Andre Gomes returned to the bench for the first time since suffering a serious ankle injury in December.
Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Ceballos, Ozil, Pepe, Aubameyang, Nketiah.
Everton XI: Pickford, Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Baines, Delph, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
- Everton are winless in 23 Premier League away fixtures against Arsenal
- Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin opens the scoring inside 60 seconds
- Eddie Nketiah equalises for Arsenal, converting from Bukayo Saka’s cross
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gives Arsenal the lead with well-taken finish
ARSENAL 2-1 EVERTON
45: Booked! Richarlison completely loses his head when sliding in late on Dani Ceballos, who does his best to get the Everton forward sent off with some theatrical rolls. Just a yellow card and a free-kick. As you were…
43: Dominic Calvert-Lewin draws the foul from Eddie Nketiah just inside from the left touchline. Gylfi Sigurdsson or Leighton Baines will look to whip this one into the penalty area… Baines bends it in and an unmarked Richarlison thunders it high and wide. Should have done better with that.
40: Well I think priority number one for Everton will be to keep the scoreline at 2-1. Arsenal look like scoring every time they attack. Djibril Sidibe goes to ground to tackle Bukayo Saka and JUST executes the challenge. A split-second later and that would have been a clear penalty.
37: Eddie Nketiah’s opening goal, assisted by Bukayo Saka, is the first goal that Arsenal have netted in the Premier League that was scored and assisted by two under-21 players since September 2008, when Denilson assisted Nicklas Bendtner vs Bolton.
35: Everton look rattled. Carlo Ancelotti will learn a lot about his side from this display. The Toffees took the lead but haven’t been in control at all when in possession. All very hurried and panicked.
22: We’ve lost some of the fluency and speed after that injury to Sead Kolasinac. Just waiting for the game to pick up again after this lull.
19: Fingers crossed that injury isn’t too bad for Sead Kolasinac. He’s now replaced by Bukayo Saka, who receives a huge round of applause. He’s been sensational recently.
16: Ouch! Sead Kolasinac and Djibril Sidibe collide in the air when challenging for a 50/50 cross field pass from Mason Holgate. The Arsenal defender came off worse and looks like his arm is dislocated or he’s hurt his elbow as he trots off the field.
13: Brilliant from Dominic Calvert-Lewin again as the England hopeful rinses Shkodran Mustafi to win the corner for Everton. That’s Shkodran Mustafi with sliver hair by the way… I actually quite like it. Anyway, Arsenal clear it and win a corner of their own that Mustafi guides over.
10: Gary Neville, who’s in the commentary box today, is really intrigued by Everton’s high line. He’s even compared it to the famous AC Milan formation deployed by Carlo Ancelotti all those years ago. Alex Iwobi squanders a good chance as Everton break, the former Gunner leathers it from an acute angle and it flies just wide of the post.
8: Oh we’re going to have goals today – and plenty of them. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exposes Everton’s high line and darts inwards towards goal. Djibril Sidibe manages to keep pace and make an important block.
The starting XI…
Eddie Nketiah was again named ahead of Alexandre Lacazette for Arsenal’s visit of Everton.
Lacazette returned to the starting line-up to score the only goal in Thursday’s Europa League win over Olympiakos but dropped down to the bench as head coach Mikel Arteta opted to recall Nketiah.
Arteta made only one alteration from the 4-0 victory over Newcastle as Sead Kolasinac came in for Bukayo Saka at left-back.
Everton made five changes as Theo Walcott missed out against his former club through injury, with another ex-Arsenal man – Alex Iwobi – drafted in.
There were also starts for Fabian Delph, available after a ban, Mason Holgate, Leighton Baines and Djibril Sidibe, while Andre Gomes returned to the bench for the first time since suffering a serious ankle injury in December.
Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Ceballos, Ozil, Pepe, Aubameyang, Nketiah.
Subs: Martinez, Sokratis, Lacazette, Torreira, Nelson, Guendouzi, Saka.
Everton XI: Pickford, Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Baines, Delph, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Stekelenburg, Keane, Bernard, Gomes, Coleman, Davies, Kean.