Photo credit: Getty Images/ Stuart MacFarlane
By Paul Stevens
Ahead of the match, pundits and statisticians alike, pointed to the interesting stat that Arsenal had yet to score from a set piece so far this season. Therefore, it was prophetic that Arsenal opened the scoring from a corner in just the 7th minute of the match.
Arsenal sent in a corner from the right side under the clock end. In truth, Everton Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a mess of the clearance, the ball dropped to a trio of Arsenal players at the far post, but it was Ezri Konsa who poked the ball home from three yards out.
It was a lovely moment for the boyhood Arsenal fan. Konsa with his first goal for his new club.
The Gunners were exceptional in the first half. Arsenal’s possession and field tilt could not be more dominant as a brief look at the corner count would show. The home side lead the metric by a staggering ten corners, with Everton responding with just three.
This was a routine win, but while the scoreline read 1-0, the chance for Arsenal to drop valuable points remained. The home fans inside the Emirates faced a very nervy few minutes in the 55th minute when Gabriel collapsed to the ground clutching his knee after an awkward fall.
For once, the football injury Gods smiled kindly, and Gabriel was able to continue. Mikel Arteta then turned to his bench and brought on Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes in the 67th minute.
Sixty seconds after the Arsenal manager’s subs, Ben White delivered a sensational ball into the box and there was only going to be one player at the end of it. Gabriel Magalhaes peeled away from his marker at the far post and guided a smart header past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to secure the points.
Arsenal continued to threaten and created several half chances during the final twenty minutes but could not add to their tally.
Gunner’s fans gave a warm welcome to both Max Dowman and Martin Zubimendi, who came on for what turned out to be the final 18 minutes, after an extra 8 minutes were added by officials.
The comfortable win moved Arsenal level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, after the Manchester club fell to their first defeat of the campaign in a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa in the day’s lunch time kick off.
Stat Focus
The stats really highlight how impressive Arsenal performed in this fixture. The home side dominated in just about every single metric.
The Gunners led the possession by 59%. The XG (expected goals) were recorded at 1.17 to just 0.28 for Everton.
Arsenal managed 13 total shots with just three in reply, while both sides recorded two shots on target and created one big chance each.
Arsenal continued the outstanding performance in the second half as the stats continued to show.
The home side ended the game with 58% possession, an XG of 1.77. The Gunners created 20 shots, four on target, 45 touches inside the opposition box and earned 12 corners!
Star Player
Sometimes in football the stars align and a player scores in a certain game or on an anniversary, and Gabriel Magalhaes certainly meets this criterion.
On the centre back’s 200th premier league appearance, Arsenal’s number six scored his first goal of the season at a time when the Gunners one nil lead was beginning to concern some inside the Emirates.
More than his well taken goal, Gabriel produced the same assured defensive display and produced a goal line clearance during a rare Everton attack.
With William Saliba out injured, Gabriel has stepped up and alongside his new centre back partner Ezri Konza, the Brazilian has led Arsenal’s defensive line flawlessly.
A Look Ahead
While Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture is a titanic clash away at Liverpool’s famous Anfield, the Gunners face an EFL fixture away to Fleetwood Town first.
The cup competition to lower league opposition will grant Mikel Arteta a chance to strongly rotate his side, resting several key players. The game also presents an opportunity for the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Max Dowman and Piero Hincapie to gain valuable playing time.
I would fully expect Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice, David Raya and others to get a much-needed night off ahead of the Liverpool clash.
Youngsters Max Dowman, Marli Salmon and Andre Harriman-Annous will likely be presented with an opportunity to cement their place amongst Arsenal’s first team squad and could potentially start the game.
More of Arsenal’s promising looking young guns will also travel and could gain valuable playing minutes. Ceadach O’Neill, Theo Julienne, Ife Ibrahim, Jaden Dixon, and James Scanlon could all have a place on the Arsenal bench.
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