by Arsenal Ratings: Day to forget for Odegaard and White with Saka one of few stars to shine against tough Everton
ARSENAL suffered a shock defeat to Everton in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge of the club.
The new man in the dugout guided the Toffees to a huge win in his first match with James Tarkowski rising highest from a corner to head home the decisive goal.
The Gunners could now see their five point lead at the top of the Premier League table cut by Manchester City if they can pick up something against Tottenham tomorrow.
It was a day to forget for normal heroes Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard, who were both subbed off as the team chased a goal.
Jorginho made his debut, replacing Martinelli after just 59 minutes, but his Arsenal career started horribly as his new side conceded a minute after he entered the field.
Bukayo Saka was one of few Arsenal players who can leave Goodison Park with their head held high.
Aaron Ramsdale – 6
Brave early block from Calvert-Lewin showed that Arsenal were ready for the physical challenge.
Calm assurance was crucial when Everton tried to turn the screw but never looked comfortable on corners and that proved his undoing.
Ben White – 5
Sloppy first-half pass almost led to an Everton goal and struggled to keep on top of the lively McNeil which meant he wasn’t able to get forward very much.
William Saliba – 6
Crucial back post blocks to deny Onana and then Tarkowski, this was probably the sternest physical test of the young Frenchman’s career.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Relished his aerial battle with Calvert-Lewin and Onana but was fortunate that his slip did not lead to a goal when Doucoure was left with a free header which he sent wide.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
He might have started the game at left-back but spent most of the game in central midfield and was always looking to play those slide rule passes between the lines.
Thomas Partey – 6
The glue that holds everything together for Arsenal, he shrugged off a rib injury to provide the link between defence and attack again.
But clearly wasn’t 100 per cent and had to come off as Arteta looked for more control in midfield.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Now that Arsenal dominate possession so much, Xhaka is free to show more of his creative side instead of having to make those risky challenges on the edge of his own area.
But won’t be happy that so much of this game passed him by.
Martin Odegaard – 5
Not one of his best games as he struggled to shake off Everton’s close marking.
Squandered a decent chance when he blazed over and wasn’t strong enough to hold off Tarkowski when the Everton centre-half headed his team ahead.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Buffeted from pillar to post again but kept coming back for more and was unfortunate not to break the deadlock when his volley was cleared off the line by Coady.
Eddie Nketiah – 5
No one can question his work-rate or commitment, but when Arsenal were crying out for a cool finish he slashed his only shot of the game into the crowd.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Constantly boxed in by Everton doubling up on him and is starting to look as though he could be running out of steam. No surprise when he was replaced by Trossard on the hour.
Substitutes:
Leandro Trossard (for Martinelli 59 minutes) -5
Had a couple of late chances to rescue a point but couldn’t find a killer finish and a couple of poor corners didn’t help his team-mates.
Jorginho (for Partey 59 minutes) – 5
On for his Arsenal debut, he was supposed to give his new team more control but within a minute of his introduction they were a goal down.
Fabio Vieira (for Odegaard 77 minutes) – 5
Rare run-out for the lightweight Portuguese but the game had already got away from Arsenal by then.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (for White 85 minutes) – 5
Not enough time to make a real impact.
