Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Everton 1-0 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners suffer second league defeat

By James Cormack

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: James Tarkowski of Everton celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on February 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: James Tarkowski of Everton celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on February 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Arsenal were beaten in the Premier League for just the second time all season as Sean Dyche led Everton to a 1-0 win over the league leaders.

Buoyed by their recent managerial switch, the Toffees began the contest in rampant fashion and their intensity never seemed to waver. Dyche’s game plan was excellent, using Eddie Howe’s blueprint to slowing the Gunners down in wide areas, as chances arrived at both ends in the opening period.

Everton then took the lead on the hour as James Tarkowski headed home Dwight McNeil’s inswinging corner. It was a deserved lead, and Mikel Arteta, who had made a double change before the opener, turned to his bench for a source of inspiration.

However, the flat visitors were no match for the determined hosts, who quelled everything the Premier League leaders through at them after taking the lead. Arsenal had chances, but very few were of high quality as Everton saw their slender advantage home.

Everton 1-0 Arsenal player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Goodison Park.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Dominic Calvert-Lewin impressed against the Arsenal defence. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin impressed against the Arsenal defence. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 5/10 – There was the odd hairy moment in possession but there was little he could do to deny Tarkowski from taking the lead. Wasn’t convincing under the high ball.

Ben White (RB) – 4.5/10 – White was off the pace at Goodison Park. The dogged and direct McNeil gave him a few issues when he drove down the flank. The Arsenal defender was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession at times, too.

William Saliba (CB) – 5.5/10 – A mixed bag for Saliba, who did not enjoy facing up against the excellent Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He was caught out on a couple of occasions, but there were dominant defensive sequences that we associate with the young Frenchman.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Not an easy outing for Gabriel, but the Brazilian stood firm. Positioning was largely good, and it was Saliba who had more issues against Calvert-Lewin.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 6/10 – Started efficiently, but his inversion didn’t have a great impact as Arsenal struggled to assert control. Produced a couple of errant attempts at goal in the closing stages.

Continued on the next slide…