3 standout players in dominant Everton home win

With the game in hand finally here, the pressure was palpable for fans and players alike. Arsenal were up to eight points clear earlier in the season. That lead shrunk to only two points. But with their dominant win against Everton, the cushion is back up to five, with the team able to take advantage of their extra game.

The majority of the first half was a struggle. Arsenal poked and prodded around the Everton box but couldn’t get through. Going the other way, the Toffees looked lethal on the break, attacking quickly and often outnumbering the defenders in red and white. Bukayo Saka’s opening goal came late in the first half and from then on, the game split open and became much more manageable.

3 standout players in dominant Everton home win

Impressive performances could be found all over the pitch. Yet a few were a cut above the rest. Here are three players that stood out in a dominant Everton home win.

1. William Saliba

Much has been made of William Saliba’s form after the World Cup and rightly so. The Frenchman has not been at his best. He has switched off at times or lost duels he wouldn’t have in the first half of the season. Against Everton, however, he was back to his best.

The centre-back was aerially dominant, confident in his duels and commanded the wide channels well. He did not make a single mistake. When defending in a high line against a team that can break quickly, that is absolutely crucial.

Saliba also impressed on the ball. He moved it quickly, getting it out to Saka and Jorginho without wasting time. Even when just shifting the ball across the backline, he does it with pace. Saliba had his best game for Arsenal since coming back from the World Cup. Long may it continue.

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