Arsenal 1 – 0 Everton [30′]
The challenge of playing away at the home of current Premier League Champions Arsenal, under the continued tutelage of former Evertonian Mikel Arteta, is not something to be taken lightly after Everton were so easily stripped of their unbeaten record last weekend against Chelsea.
But we know the approach David Moyes will take to this challenge only too well. Something about taking a knife to a gunfight? So how does he set up to confront the enormous wealth of talent his former pupil can call upon?
Team News
Youngsters Tyrique George and Jake O’Brien get a starting chance to make a difference but Johnson somehow gets a starting role, with Branthwaite (concussion) and Grealish (sickness) absent, Maitland-Niles dropped to the bench.
For Arsenal, Bakayo Saka is out with injury and Arteta rotates half his outfield players after playing midweek in the Champions League.
First Half
Everton kicked off all in blue and tried to play the ball around before Arsenal took control. Declan Rice had Pickford diving before his early shot was blocked away. Barry and Johnson contrived to lose the kick-out and Arsenal got around the back, forcing the first of a series of early corners. From the third, it was a mess at the far post and Konsa finished it off. Pickford and Mykolenko possibly responsible.
Everton got a corner of their own, but it was shockingly poor from Dewsbury-Hall, hitting the first defenders. But following that, they had a couple of pops at goal that came to nothing. A hopeful move stalled until George finally curled in a cross but Lewis-Skelly fell over convincingly to draw a foul.
Everton continued to get possession but limited in scope when it came to the opposition penalty area. Tyrique George did hsi scut insid and unleashed a great shot that was probably going in, White deflecting it slightly off target. The corner this time was a lot better but no one in Blue reacted to the ball on the floor, and it was belted off the line.
Some really desperate defending was needed to deny a chance as the ball ricocheted around the Everton penalty area. Another fearsome Arsenal attack forced a vital interception from Rohl to deny Gyökeres. But more good Rice corners needed stern defending.
Another sweeping Arsenal attack saw the Everton defence backing away in fear, Eze driving across goal and out. In response, Dewsbury-Hall made a decent advance and crossed to Barry at the far post but he had run offside.
Madueke got behind Mykolenko but drove his shot wide. Merino drove through but Rohl intervened again. Merino had an incredible set-up made for him but a fine block by O’Brien stopped a certain goal. Madueke controlled the ball well and drilled it just wide with Pickford well beaten.
Tarkowski had to block a dangerous cross behind for yet another Rice corner, headed behind by Mykolenko. Ødegaard from the other side, but Pickford got a fist to it, Johnson stupidly dragging someone back for a foul. A superb free-kick from Rice needed a good parry from Pickford. Eze’s shot careened off Garner for another corner with Everton under sever pressure for 20+ minutes.
Everton got up the other end and Raya was called for holding the ball too long, giving Everton a corner which went harmlessly along the goal area line. The game became open suddenly, back and forth before Ødegaard powered ahead and another astounding block kept the score at 1-0.
Mykolenko will get pelters for dribbling the ball behind, giving up yet another corner that needed Tarkowski’s clearing header. Everton had possession but failed to use it until Ben White gifted the ball back to Barry but the big galloot could not make anything of the glorious present.
A good Ødegaard cross saw Pickford come out with a commanding punch as Arsenal kept piling forward, Mykolenko getting a yellow card after Ben White ran into him — just ridiculous. Rice chipped in the cross and Merino thankfully headed over to end a half that no doubt David Moyes will be very pleased with after only giving up one goal.
Team Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino; Madueke, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Hincapie, Timber, Havertz, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Guimarães, Dowman.
Everton: Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, Mykolenko [Y:45+1′], O’Brien; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.
Subs: Travers, King, Maitland-Niles, Keane, Norgaard, Hackney, Dibling, Alcaraz, Graham.
Match Officials
Referee: Tony Harrington
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistant Referee 1: Adrian Holmes
Assistant Referee 2: Lee Betts
Fourth Official: Ruebyn Ricardo
Assistant VAR: Tom Nield
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