Arsenal still don’t look at their rip-roaring best, but they beat Everton and kept a clean sheet while at it, not behind the league leaders only on goal difference.
Indeed, Manchester City fell to defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park earlier in the day, and with the financial shadow that hangs over the Etihad, it’s starting to look like the Gunners are edging into the ascendancy as they chase down a second successive Premier League title.
It was a confident performance from the north Londoners, and indeed, the usual stars stood up, with Gabriel Magalhaes producing a monstrous performance in defence.
Gabriel’s performance vs Everton
Gabriel nodded home his first of the season against Everton, reminding the Premier League of his peerless hunger for goals as an elite centre-half.
However, Gabriel’s defensive display was just as impressive. Indeed, the Brazil international, 28, was immense at the back, making 12 defensive contributions across the evening and commanding his box in the absence of the still-injured William Saliba.
There’s no question that Gabriel has grown into one of the finest centre-backs in the world. He is immense, and an Everton attack who huffed and puffed but lacked the cutting edge to hurt Arteta’s side were not left rueing missed opportunities, but absent players. Quite simply, they didn’t have the tools to down Arsenal.
|
Arsenal Player Ratings vs Everton |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Rating |
|
(GK) David Raya |
7/10 |
|
(RB) Ben White |
7/10 |
|
(CB) Ezri Konsa |
8/10 |
|
(CB) Gabriel Magalhaes |
9/10 |
|
(LB) Myles Lewis-Skelly |
7/10 |
|
(CM) Declan Rice |
8/10 |
|
(CM) Mikel Merino |
5/10 |
|
(RW) Noni Madueke |
7/10 |
|
(AM) Martin Odegaard |
9/10 |
|
(LW) Eberechi Eze |
6/10 |
|
(CF) Viktor Gyokeres |
6/10 |
It’s not only the defenders who shone, though. In midfield, Declan Rice was as immense as ever, consolidating his position as one of the best midfielders in the world – yet again.
Declan Rice’s performance vs Everton
After Arsenal lost the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain last year, Rice knew. Rice knew that Arsenal would be back, and on the basis of the evidence, this side are ready to challenge for the biggest honours once again this season.
Arsenal must fancy themselves favourites to retain their Premier League title. Moreover, the Champions League could finally be in reach, one year after coming so close to sealing immortality for this group of players.
Sure, Rice is a constant threat with his set-piece deliveries, but he also produces and sustains remarkable levels of creativity, fashioning four chances on the evening and still completing 94% of his passes. That aside, the Three Lions superstar completed 25 carries across the afternoon.
However, it was actually Rice’s relationship with one of his teammates on the field which illustrated the home side’s dominance. The player in question might just be overtaking his peers and cementing himself as the best footballer in north London.
Arsenal have found their new best player
Rice and Gabriel have been pillars at the heart of the Arsenal project for a number of years now, but they may well have to take a step back as another member of the persuasion reminds the world of their world-class quality.
Well, Martin Odegaard appears to have shrugged off the malaise that plagued him last season and has now reinvented himself as a matchless superstar at the heart of Arsenal’s team.
Yet again, he was at the heart of everything good for the Gunners, so springy and balletic on the ball. Honestly, just a joy to watch for the best team in English football.
Let’s make no mistake, at times throughout Odegaard’s Arsenal career, he has been a frustrating player. Endlessly gifted, the Norway skipper has flattered to deceive all too often, and last year, he only scored one goal across 36 games. This year, he has posted four from 13 games.
Against Everton, Odegaard took 115 touches, more than any other player in the Premier League this season. He is thriving, so influential and finding that Arsenal’s football seems to flow through him. With Kevin De Bruyne no longer in the English game, there’s a case to be made that Odegaard is the most influential midfielder out there.
Everton couldn’t contain him. He created two chances, completing 90% of his passes all the same, made three ball recoveries and played with a smile on his face.
