Arsenal player ratings vs Everton: Last-gap 2-1 defeat

Arsenal fell to defeat against Everton on Monday night as a goal from Martin Odegaard was cancelled out by Richarlison and Demarai Gray to hand the visitors a miserable 2-1 defeat in the Premier League.

After the disappointment of their 3-2 defeat away at Manchester United last time out, Mikel Arteta had some key decisions to make for his starting lineup at Goodison Park.

Granit Xhaka was remarkably straight back into the team for the first time since injuring his knee against Tottenham and there was also return to the starting lineup for Kieran Tierney in place of Nuno Tavares.

Up front Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out with Alexandre Lacazette leading the line, and there was another start for Gabriel Martinelli out on the left in place of the injured Emile Smith Rowe.

Arsenal player ratings vs Everton as Martin Odegaard goal is cancelled out by Richarlison and Gray in 2-1 Premier League defeat at Goodison Park

One of the most boring matches of the season unfolded, much like the 0-0 draw last season. However, there was huge controversy just before the half hour mark when Ben Godfrey inexplicably avoided a red card for a blatant stamp on Takehiro Tomiyasu’s face. VAR abandoned them there but spared Arsenal going behind from Richarlison’s offside header.

The only moment of quality from Arsenal brought a richly undeserved goal, as Tierney’s cross was tidily tucked away by Martin Odegaard in stoppage time.

VAR saved Arsenal again when Richarlison scored but was again pulled back for an offside, this time even closer than the previous one. The Brazilian finally had one allowed when he reacted quickest from a shot hitting the bar to head home. And then, in stoppage time, Gray scored a screamer to make it 2-1.

Miserable.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6/10 – Had next to nothing to do. Hit a few clever passes long into feet and was calm when players chased onto him but it was a quiet night for Ramsdale apart from picking the ball out of the net.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (CB) – 5/10 – Was involved in some feisty tussles down his right side and was mostly comfortable in possession throughout. Won everything in the air, as per usual, but organisation was absent.

Had his face stood on and, somehow, nothing was given for it. Insane decision.

Benjamin White (CB) – 4/10 – Tried to make things happen from deep but was left frustrated by the lack of movement in front. Made a few key blocks and there were some classic charges up the field to shift Arsenal through the thirds. Looked shaky in moments, particularly when he dropped off for the second ruled out goal.

Gabriel (CB) – 4/10 – Not the ‘cleanest’ night, at all, as both he and White looked uncertain when running back to their goal and had VAR to thank for two Richarlison goals that were offside by a whisker. He and the rest were over the place at the back.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 7/10 – Lovely cross for the goal but it was very clear that Tierney had been out of action for a while. His touch was off and was generally lacking match sharpness. Still, when he got down the line he offered some threat that Arsenal lacked on the night and he delivered some excellent crosses.

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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 3/10 – Poor again. Awful, in fact. He was caught out in possession on a number of occasions in what was a tight and compact midfield area, with only the occasion flash of brilliance with some threaded passes through the lines.

When the ball was fizzed into him he looked uncertain and nervous and his passing even in short distances was appalling.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 4/10 – Pretty anonymous. It was incredible he was in the squad let alone in the starting lineup, and in a game lacking any incisive passing there was precious little of that from Xhaka.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 6/10 – There was so little going for Arsenal in the first half with not enough movement or incision in the right areas to penetrate Everton, although Odegaard showed some flashes of clever play to try and instigate something positive.

The positive part came when he showed real class to volley in Tierney’s cross for his second goal in as many games. Continued in that vein after the second half and was a vocal presence on the pitch.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 5/10 – Attempted a few take-ons down the right but he kept receiving the ball in areas where he had numerous bodies around him. Little came off for him down that right side and while he could take on Godfrey, the were other others blocking his path. Should have got an assist when Nketiah contrived to hit the post. Somehow.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 4/10 – Was he playing? He may as well not have been as there was nothing in terms of impact from Lacazette who was doing his best Aubameyang impression, just without the chances on goal.

Ended up drifting into the left half-spaces and acting as a second No. 10, yet wasn’t overly effective. Didn’t move enough in attacking areas and dropped far too deep.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 5/10 – Attempted to be lively and tried to impose himself on a game that was desperately lacking in quality. He shifted into central areas on occasion as Lacazette dropped off and tried to stretch the pitch as much as he could.

What appeared to be a muscle issue forced him off after 70 minutes.

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Substitutes

Nuno Tavares – 5/10 – Not the best introduction off the bench as he took time to get up to speed with the intensity of the encounter with some poor touches. Was on the end of another nasty challenge by Everton that went unpunished.

Eddie Nketiah – 4/10 – Much like at Old Trafford last time out, his inclusion off the bench changed nothing and then when the chance came he pulled an Aubameyang and hit the post. It was a sitter.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang  – N/A – Not on long enough for a rating.