The Gunners continued their outstanding start to the new season by ending their six-year winless record against the Toffees on Merseyside with a spirited victory at Goodison Park.
Leandro Trossard scored the game-winning goal as Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season against Everton at Goodison Park.
The Belgian winger scored a stunning goal midway through the second half to give Arsenal their first victory on Merseyside in six years. Gabriel Martinelli appeared to have given Arsenal the lead in the first half before to VAR’s intervention.
Trossard’s second-half goal gave Arsenal their first lead of the game, and it was enough for them to win their fourth consecutive game.
Here are all of the talking points from Goodison Park.
1. VAR baffles Arsenal and Neville
After Martinelli’s initial goal was ruled unlawful, Goodison Park was filled with perplexed stares. One among those perplexed was commentator Gary Neville.
The goal was scored after Beto attempted to intercept Gabriel Magalhaes’ pass. The ball then rebounded all the way to Eddie Nketiah, who brought on Fabio Vieira, who deftly released Martinelli.
With a superb finish, the Brazilian slotted home. However, Nketiah was discovered to be slightly offside during the build-up, and the celebrations were cut short.
Despite the fact that Beto’s touch was unintentional and Arsenal felt wronged, the verdict was correct. Martinelli’s predicament worsened when he was injured and had to be replaced immediately.
2. Arteta’s Raya call untested
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta selected a team that sparked major debate among fans even before the game began. David Raya, a summer addition, took over as starting goalkeeper for Aaron Ramsdale.
He went on to say that the choice was made as part of a rotation plan ahead of a hectic series of games. Because he didn’t have much to do at Goodison Park, it’s uncertain if the Spaniard made the right option.
Ramsdale is one man who might be getting irritated. The England goalkeeper’s benching will hurt his prospects of playing for his country, as Jordan Pickford, another Three Lions member, is doing well for Everton.
3. Trossard the ultimate impact sub
Arsenal struggled to dismantle their opponents at Goodison Park for a long period. With the exception of Martinelli’s offside goal and Jordan Pickford’s stunning save against Martin Odegaard early in the first half, the Gunners lacked any inventiveness.
That is, until Trossard scored the first goal. The former Brighton player finished a brilliant move with a thunderous shot that hit the post.
It was only his third goal for the North London squad since moving to the Emirates Stadium. All three of those strikes, though, were substitutions, indicating that he is already developing a positive habit. The fact that Arteta has players who can make an impact bodes well for a new title challenge.
4. Arsenal’s Everton hoodoo ends
The Gunners will definitely be pleased with the result, but Arteta’s smile will be even wider given that it came at Goodison Park. The loss at the same stadium was one of numerous events that cost Arsenal the Premier League title last season.
That passion was understandable given Everton’s inability to defeat Arsenal since 2017. Furthermore, throughout that time, they have only scored two goals at Goodison Park.
On Sunday, the game was as tense, and it appeared for a long time that the Gunners might lose their cool. Although it is much too early in the season to predict that a win at Goodison Park will increase Arsenal’s chances of winning the league, the Gunners can surely exhale a sigh of relief.
5. Calvert-Lewin finally returns
Everton will be frustrated that they were unable to prevent Arsenal from scoring despite holding them at bay for the majority of the game. However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return to mask wear following a cheek injury is good news for the Toffees.
Although the Toffees’ defense is unflappable, their attack will be critical to ensuring their place in the Premier League at the conclusion of the season. Calvert-Lewin will make a substantial contribution to this.
After making his long-awaited return, both he and Dyche would want the striker to stay healthy. Beto also appears to be a viable option for Everton.
