Arsenal stylishly got their revenge for the 1-0 loss to the Toffees on 4 February as they put four goals past Sean Dyche’s team on Wednesday night.
3 positives & negatives from Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Everton
It was a grossly dominant performance from the Gunners, so let’s dive into the good and the bad.
Positive #1: “Gorgeous arrogance”
Arsenal played with a swagger in the second half. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
After Martin Ødegaard’s goal made it a three-goal lead for Arsenal, Peter Drury eloquently described Arsenal as playing with a “gorgeous arrogance,” and that couldn’t be more apt.
After Bukayo Saka’s opener, Arsenal didn’t look back, controlling the match to a level of total dominance. Watching Arsenal ping the ball around deflated Everton players in the second half was almost humorous. Game state is an amazing thing because, after the opening goal, the game just opened up for the Gunners.
Negative #1: Tough first 30 minutes
Everton initially frustrated the hosts. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
The minutes leading to Arsenal’s opening goal were shades of the reverse fixture. Arsenal looked weak against the transition and were struggling to break down the Everton low block. The game was broken open by Saka and the overload created by Gabriel Martinelli and Oleksandr Zinchenko drifting to join him on the right, as opposed to their traditional left-hand side. Arsenal’s fluidity was a different beast for Everton to deal with and was ultimately the factor to flip the match on its head; speaking of which…
Continued on the next slide…
#WeAreTheArsenal</a> 💅 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/03/3-positives-negatives-from-arsenals-4-0-over-everton/"https://t.co/z42U83M7K7">pic.twitter.com/z42U83M7K7
<p>— RohanJivan (@RjArsenalBlog) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/03/3-positives-negatives-from-arsenals-4-0-over-everton/"https://twitter.com/RjArsenalBlog/status/1631215089578651648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Leandro Trossard got the start at centre forward again for the Gunners, and it proved to be an excellent tactical choice by Mikel Arteta. Trossard once again didn’t stay within the width of the six-yard box like Eddie Nketiah would; he was rotating into different spaces, especially with Martinelli. This movement was super unpredictable and challenging for the Everton backline to track.</p>
<p>Martinelli looks back to his pre-World Cup form now that he isn’t isolated on the left, with both of his goals in this match coming from these rotations out to the right or the middle of the pitch.</p>
<p>As great as Nketiah has been, Arsenal have missed this fluidity since Gabriel Jesus’ injury, and it has proven to be potent against the low blocks that the Gunners have occasionally struggled against this season.</p>
<h2>Negative #2: Tough half for Jorginho</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-132659 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/03/3-positives-negatives-from-arsenals-4-0-over-everton/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2340,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1469958803.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2340" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1469958803.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1469958803-768x562.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Jorginho was removed at half-time. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)</p>
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<p>According to Arteta, the Italian midfielder wasn’t feeling well today, which would explain his poor first half. The normally press-resistant midfielder had his pocket picked a few times, leading to Everton counters that didn’t lead to anything, thankfully.</p>
<p>Thomas Partey was subbed on to start the second half and seems to be back to health, and because of that, he’ll likely slot back into the starting XI.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the 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/2023/03/03/3-positives-negatives-from-arsenals-4-0-over-everton/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 positive & negative </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Positive #3: Saka & Martinelli, double-digit goalscorers</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-132705 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/03/3-positives-negatives-from-arsenals-4-0-over-everton/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2085,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1470581569.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="2085" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1470581569.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1470581569-768x1001.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal’s young wingers have both notched double-digit goal hauls this season. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Can you believe that they’re both only 21 years old? I’m 21 years old, and I can declaratively say that I don’t think I could get a double-digit goal tally in the Premier League. But these two are seriously special, and it’s incredible to have two players leading the charge in the title race.</p>
<p>Saka is now one assist away from double digits in both goals and assists this season. Martinelli has taken the top-scorer mantle with his brace on Wednesday. What a team, and what a pair of incredible players.</p>
<h2>Negative #3: Positive bonus round</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-131942 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/03/3-positives-negatives-from-arsenals-4-0-over-everton/"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"><p class="wp-caption-text">It’s all smiles at the Emirates. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>If you’re a frequent reader of this column, you probably knew this was coming. I hate being too negative after a match like this; let’s do some rapid-fire.</p>
<p>Zinchenko was incredible, as always, a player without a position.</p>
<p>Gabriel is just such a rock and has been one of, if not the best, centre-backs in the league this season.</p>
<p>Emile Smith Rowe was back at the Emirates! Great to see him back on the pitch, and I’ll be knee-sliding in my living room for his first goal this season.</p>
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<p>Arsenal have finally gotten rid of the game in hand! Arsenal are finally level on matches with City and now officially five points clear again.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
