It was an afternoon of tense football and missed opportunities at Goodison Park, where Arsenal and Everton ended up settling for a 1-1 draw.
Fans from both sides were treated to moments of brilliance, frustration, and everything in between.
This wasn’t just another match—it was one where every inch of the pitch felt like it had a story to tell.
Trossard Strikes First with Style
The Gunners were the first to break the deadlock.
Just over half an hour in, Leandro Trossard coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, finishing off a swift counter-attack that started with Raheem Sterling.
It was a composed finish that showed exactly why Trossard is becoming such a reliable figure in Arsenal’s frontline.
Everton Hit Back Early in the Second Half
But the home side weren’t down for long. Four minutes after the break, Jack Harrison darted into the box and was brought down by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The referee didn’t hesitate—penalty to Everton.
Iliman Ndiaye stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to bring things level.
Late Arsenal Pressure and Pickford’s Heroics
Arsenal tried to push for a winner, especially in the final stretch.
Gabriel Martinelli came closest, forcing a big save out of Jordan Pickford late in the second half.
But Everton’s keeper stood tall when it mattered most, ensuring both teams walked away with a point.
How This Draw Shapes the Table
With this result, Arsenal keep their grip on second place in the league, now five points ahead of third-placed Nottingham Forest—who still have a game in hand against Aston Villa later in the day.
Every point matters at this stage of the season, and this could prove crucial down the line.
Everton Player Ratings and Performance Breakdown
Jordan Pickford (6/10) – A shaky start with a poor clearance but made some important stops as the game progressed.
Jake O’Brien (6.5/10) – Showed physical strength at the back, keeping Arsenal’s wide threats in check.
James Tarkowski (6.5/10) – Threw himself into tackles, including a key challenge on Trossard.
Jarrad Branthwaite (7/10) – Everton’s standout defender. He cleared a Declan Rice corner off the line and made a vital tackle.
Nathan Patterson (6.5/10) – Set the tone early with a crunching tackle on Nwaneri.
Idrissa Gueye (6.5/10) – Hustled across the pitch with plenty of energy.
Tim Iroegbunam (5.5/10) – Struggled to make an impact and couldn’t get a grip on the game.
Jack Harrison (6/10) – Earned the penalty but lacked final product in open play.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (5.5/10) – Sloppy in attack, lost possession several times.
Iliman Ndiaye (6.5/10) – Took his penalty well and linked up play effectively.
Beto (5.5/10) – Lacked energy and failed to trouble Arsenal’s defence.
Manager – David Moyes (6.5/10) – Set his team up to fight and they did just enough.
Substitutes:
- James Garner (6)
- Armando Broja (6)
- Ashley Young, Carlos Alcaraz, Dwight McNeil (N/A)
Arsenal Player Ratings and Standout Performers
David Raya (6/10) – Quiet first half, busier after the equaliser. Distribution could’ve been better.
Ben White (6/10) – First league start since surgery. Showed glimpses but still not fully sharp.
William Saliba (6.5/10) – Stepped up without Gabriel. Calm and composed at the back.
Jakub Kiwior (6.5/10) – Solid display, looked confident in possession.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (5.5/10) – Gave away the penalty but had a brilliant solo run later in the match.
Mikel Merino (6.5/10) – Covered a lot of ground and added grit in midfield battles.
Jorginho (6/10) – Showed flashes of quality but lacked pace at times.
Declan Rice (7/10) – Arsenal’s midfield engine. Tackles, crosses, and relentless pressing.
Ethan Nwaneri (6/10) – Struggled with the physical game. Showed promise but couldn’t break through.
Leandro Trossard (8/10) – The standout performer. Scored a lovely goal and was a constant threat.
Raheem Sterling (5.5/10) – Assisted the goal but otherwise had a quiet game. Subbed off at halftime.
Manager – Mikel Arteta (6/10) – Tactical setup had its moments, but substitutions lacked punch.
Substitutes:
- Gabriel Martinelli (6.5) – Looked sharp and caused trouble.
- Bukayo Saka (6) – Rarely got involved.
- Jurrien Timber (6.5)
- Martin Odegaard (6)
- Kieran Tierney (6)
Final Thoughts
It wasn’t a classic, but it was competitive. Both teams had their chances and showed patches of good football. For Arsenal, it’s a missed opportunity to gain ground.
For Everton, it’s a point well-earned in a game where they had to dig deep.
