Pain in the Arsenal
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3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory

By Harry Dowsett

Arsenal's Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard is embraced by Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on September 17, 2023. Arsenal won the game 1-0. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard is embraced by Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on September 17, 2023. Arsenal won the game 1-0. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The Gunners celebrate Trossard’s opener. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
The Gunners celebrate Trossard’s opener. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Positive #2: A win at Goodison Park – finally

We headed into this fixture having failed to record a victory away at Everton in our last five attempts, with our most recent defeat coming in Sean Dyche’s first game as Toffees manager last season.

Therefore, securing the three points in this match, despite the fact we were still some way off our best, is a huge boost for the squad.

Regardless of their current form, Goodison Park is never an easy ground to travel to, as shown by our poor record, and it is yet another demonstration of the mentality shift that is occurring at the club under Arteta’s guidance.

Negative #2: Failed to kill the game off

As much as I have said that the win was an impressive one, which it was, that does not necessarily mean that it was accompanied by an impressive performance. In fact, our inability to kill games off while we are on top is beginning to become a real cause of concern in my opinion.

It could have cost us dearly against both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, did cost us points against a ten-man Fulham and could’ve cost us yet more points in this match against Everton.

Of our four victories this season, three have been by a singular goal, highlighting the fact that we are yet to fully click into gear in front of goal. Our attacking flair was a huge factor in our success last term, but as of now, we are yet to see that in this campaign.

Continued on the next slide…

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