Leandro Trossard superb, Ben White struggles – Arsenal player ratings vs Everton
Arsenal once again struggled at Goodison Park as they drew 1-1 with Everton to all but end their hopes of lifting the Premier League title.
Just moments after kick-off, Jordan Pickford made a nervy start to the game when he missed his kick and allowed Leandro Trossard to gather possession.
The Belgian worked the ball out to Ben White on the overlap with his cut back finding Raheem Sterling who was waiting to strike, however Tim Iroegbunam put his body on the line with an excellent block to deny the winger.
After a frantic first half an hour, came the first real moment of quality in the match. A lapse in communication between Idrissa Gueye and Jarrad Branthwaite meant the latter was taken out of the game with a header which broke for Sterling.
The winger had no hesitation but to run straight at the heart of the Everton defence, before picking his head up and finding Trossard on the left.
Trossard put Arsenal in control of the game at Goodison
The makeshift number nine shifted the ball onto his weaker left side, drilling his effort low past Pickford and into the side netting to put Arsenal ahead.
However, following the restart of play Everton almost immediately got back into the game. White’s short back pass was latched onto by Beto, who rounded Raya but the forward was unable to cut the ball back to find a teammate in the middle.
Following this moment, Mikel Arteta’s side regained control of proceedings with Jorginho orchestrating his side’s midfield.
The Gunners almost made their dominance count just before half-time, when Kiwior found Trossard in behind the home sides defence, however a poor first touch from the attacker meant his rushed effort was blocked by Pickford.
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka were introduced at half-time for the visitors, as they looked to kill the game off, however it was Everton who dragged themselves back into the game.
Myles Lewis-Skelly misjudged a long pass forward, allowing Jack Harrison to get the wrong side, with the youngster eventually bringing him down in the area.
On his first start since returning from injury, Iliman Ndiaye sent David Raya the wrong way to level the scores, and all but end Arsenal’s hopes of winning the league this season.
Premier League surely heading to Liverpool now
David Raya – 6
Reliable as ever in possession and dealt with the Everton set-pieces well, but his mix up with Saliba set the tone for Arsenal in the second-half.
Ben White (off for Jurrien Timber 61′) – 3
Making his first start for months, Arsenal had missed his overlapping runs down the right, but White needs more game time to get fully up to speed, time Mikel Arteta doesn’t have. Involved in a clash with O’Brien that saw the Everton man booked by a questionable officiating situation.
William Saliba – 7
Dealt with Beto well who gave the Liverpool defence a torrid night midweek and led the Arsenal defence in the absence of Gabriel.
Jacob Kiwior – 6
Played an excellent ball over the top to release Trossard and was solid despite having limited minutes in recent weeks.
Lewis-Skelly responded well to giving away a penalty
Myles Lewis-Skelly (off for Kieran Tierney 75′) – 6
Recovered from his mistake early in the second-half well, drove his team up the pitch and one of the few looking to get the ball quickly into the forward line.
Mikel Merino – 5
Dropped back into his natural position, Merino struggled to influence the game in an attacking sense, which we have seen in recent weeks.
Jorginho (off for Martin Odegaard 71′) – 5
Kept his side ticking along in possession but his physical shortcomings were highlighted once more against Everton’s powerful runners.
Declan Rice thrives in midfield
Declan Rice – 7
The England international‘s corners caused trouble for the Everton defect all afternoon and he nearly beat Pickford with a powerful free-kick in the second-half.
Ethan Nwaneri (off for Bukayo Saka 45′) – 6
Perhaps harsh to take him off at half-time with Nwaneri looking bright on the wing, however Arteta undoubtedly has one eye on building up Saka’s minutes before Real Madrid.
Leandro Trossard – 8 – Man of the Match
Took his goal really well and should have done better with his first-touch when Kiwior played him through on goal, but was by far Arsenal’s biggest threat.
Raheem Sterling (off for Gabriel Martinelli 45′) – 6
Positive in possession and timed his pass well to set up his side’s only goal of the game.
Substitutes
Kieran Tierney (on for Myles Lewis-Skelly 75′) – 6
Created the best chance of the second-half with a whipped cross into Merino, however the Spaniard was unable to find the target.
Bukayo Saka (on for Ethan Nwaneri 45′) – 6
Looked bright for a player who has played around half an hour of football in the last three-months, but Arteta has a decision to make prior to Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Martin Odegaard (on for Jorginho 71′) – 5
Despite having 77% possession after the break, Odegaard failed to make the impact his manager would have wanted and missed a decent chance at the near post.
Gabriel Martinelli (on for Raheem Sterling 45′) – 7
Back up to speed following his hamstring injury, Martinelli almost won the game for Arsenal had it not been for an excellent save by Pickford.
Jurrien Timber (on for Ben White 61′) – 6
Arsenal fans will be pleased to see the Dutch international’s injury is not serious, with Timber putting in another reliable cameo.