Arsenal put an end to their Goodison Park hoodoo thanks to Leandro Trossard’s 69th minute strike and no thanks to Stuart Atwell on VAR.
Arsenal secured a hard-fought victory against Everton in a tense Premier League clash at Goodison Park.
Leandro Trossard’s 69th-minute strike proved to be the decider, helping Arsenal jump to fourth place in the Premier League standings.
While the final score read Everton 0-1 Arsenal, the game was much more than what the scoreline suggests.
Here are some things we noticed:
Raya’s calmness
David Raya came in for his Arsenal debut and, while he didn’t have much to do, approached his job with a calmness that seemed to be a few levels above Aaron Ramsdale’s level.
His distribution was superb, stroking the ball with ease to where he wanted it, completing 94% of his 34 passes. Ramsdale’s average for the season is 76.25% with his highest 89% and his lowest 59%.
Grey areas always benefit Arsenal’s opposition
Gabriel Martinelli’s goal was ruled out for offside despite the ball clearly being played by an Everton man.
Gabriel had been trying to play it back in his own half, a blue leg came out and directed the ball to Martinelli.
https://twitter.com/Goalz_X/status/1703437432161497247
This, we are told, was not a ‘deliberate action’ (even though it satisfies the criteria for a deliberate action with ease) because the ball didn’t go where the Everton player wanted. Neither did Gabriel’s pass.
Stuart Atwell was on VAR and, well, he has more than a little history with Arsenal after returning to the league following his removal for four years for being rubbish.
Saka will get very seriously injured
Throughout the game, Myklenko was allowed to foul Bukayo Saka without consequence. One tackle, which went to VAR for a red card check, wasn’t even given as a foul (it wasn’t a red but it was certainly a yellow. A drop ball was given).
It seems almost inevitable that unless Saka is given some sort of protection, a serious injury will happen sooner rather than later.
I’ve been watching football for over 40 years and I’m hard pushed to remember a player who is fouled so much and gets so little in way of actual freekicks and cards given to opposition players.
Sean Dyche sucks against Arsenal
The media like to pretend that Sean Dyche is a permanent thorn in Arsenal’s side rather than an annoying little gnat who occasionally gets in a bite.
After this defeat, Dyche’s record against Arsenal reads played 18, won 2, drawn 3, lost 13, scored 8 and conceded 31.
Leandro Trossard makes a difference
The turning point of the match arrived in the 69th minute when Leandro Trossard finally broke the deadlock.
A slick passing sequence involving Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka set up Trossard, who expertly guided the ball into the net with his left foot.
A deliciously deliberate finish worthy of winning a game.
"THAT IS DELICIOUSLY SHARP!"
Trossard's shot SMASHES off the post and Arsenal lead! 💥 pic.twitter.com/wavixGF3OP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 17, 2023
"I've been practicing all my life on both feet!" 🦶
Arsenal's matchwinner Leandro Trossard can't stop smiling 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0LTvqcNKwb
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 17, 2023
It was Trossard’s third goal since signing for Arsenal in January as he continues to average a goal or assist every 90 minutes.