LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on March 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Arsenal 4-0 Everton: 3 talking points as Gunners thump Toffees
by Adam Schultz
Arsenal secured a 4-0 win over Everton in devastating fashion at the Emirates. First half goals to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelii sent the Gunners on their way. Second half goals to Martin Odegaard and Martinelli again put an exclamation mark on the performance.
The first half was somewhat underwhelming as Arsenal struggled to get into any rhythm, but that changed just before halftime.
Oleksandr Zinchenko split the Everton defense and found Bukayo Saka in space inside the box. The winger turned, took a touch, and lashed home past Jordan Pickford at his near post.
Arsenal doubled their lead minutes later after Saka dispossessed Idrissa Gueya, and Gabriel Martinelli took possession and calmly slotted home. VAR checked to see if the Brazilian was offside, but the goal stood after initially being ruled out.
Arsenal continued to dominate proceedings, and it took until the 70th minute for the Gunners to get their third of the night. A sweeping move ended with Trossard being sent through by Granit Xhaka, and the Belgian cut the ball back for Odegaard, who slotted home to end the game as a contest.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1631046630068699141?s=20
The Gunners weren’t done scoring as Martinelli was next to get on the scoresheet as he doubled his total for the night. After dominating possession, the Brazilian was found by Eddie Nketiah, who was put through by Zinchenko and Martinelli from close range slotted home.
It was a pure performance in the second half as Arsenal put its foot down and devastatingly obliterated Everton.
The 4-0 win now moves the Gunners five points clear at the summit, as City now has some work to do in the title race. It’s not over, but the Gunners are in a good position.
Arsenal 4-0 Everton: 3 talking points as Gunners thump Toffees
The game provided plenty of talking points, here they are.
1. Game in hand goes swimmingly
The Gunners marked this game on their calendar for months—the vital game in hand over Manchester City.
https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1631036430133739522?s=20
Needing a win to take full advantage, the Gunners did that, and then some, as the Emirates was rocking from the first whistle. While not the swashbuckling performance we know Arteta’s side can put forth, but it was a win nonetheless, and the gap between Arsenal and City is now stretched to five points.
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@Arsenal are the only team with two players who have reached double figures in the Premier League this campaign. Playground. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/02/arsenal-vs-everton-3-talking-points/"https://t.co/8DZSjWNMa7">pic.twitter.com/8DZSjWNMa7
<p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/02/arsenal-vs-everton-3-talking-points/"https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1631032895950274560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>His goal was superbly taken as he rifled his shot past Pickford’s near post, and he then “set up” Martinelli’s goal with trademark pressure to put Arsenal up by two goals in quick fashion.</p>
<p>As his contract negotiations are reportedly going well, give our starboy whatever he wants, he’s pure class.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/02/arsenal-vs-everton-3-talking-points/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #3 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-131942 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/02/arsenal-vs-everton-3-talking-points/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1456616979.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1456616979.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1456616979-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 15: William Saliba and Emile Smith Rowe celebrate after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. Arsenal getting healthy at the right time</h2>
<p>While the performance from Arsenal was superb in the second half, perhaps even better is the squad’s health. Thomas Partey got 45 minutes into his legs, and Emile Smith Rowe came on late to further enhance his comeback.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Biggest cheer of the night goes to Smith Rowe as he replaces Saka.</p>
<p>— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/02/arsenal-vs-everton-3-talking-points/"https://twitter.com/charles_watts/status/1631043709709045764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Oh, and Gabriel Jesus is back in training and is reportedly just weeks away from returning. It is a sight for sore eyes that the club is healthy at this time of year.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
