3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory

Positive #3: Strength in depth

Another positive from the match was that our strength in depth once again manifested in abundance. As mentioned above, Martinelli’s injury is a massive blow, however, its effect is lessened when his replacement is Trossard, who proved to be the match-winner.

In goal, as discussed, Raya was brought in for Aaron Ramsdale, who joined the likes of Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus and summer signing Kai Havertz on the bench.

Speaking on our depth and rotation within the squad, Arteta had this to say:

"“No-one is guaranteed a spot, I don’t guarantee it. You are here to perform at the highest level and to contribute with our best capacity to win games, and that’s what we have to do. It’s not different for anybody and we set ourselves those standards, whatever happens externally, it’s never going to be bigger than that. That’s the end that we have.”"

If we are to go one further than our second-placed Premier League finish last season, our squad depth and competition for places will be a huge reason why.

Negative #3: Moment of sloppiness

This is perhaps harsh as the very few moments of sloppiness from the players during the match ultimately did no harm.

However, with that being said, players such as Gabriel Magalhaes, Benjamin White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and, at times, Declan Rice were all guilty of conceding possession far too easily.

Against a side with almost no interest in attacking, such is the way the Toffees approached this game, you can usually afford to make those mistakes without being punished. However, were we playing stronger opposition, such as PSV Eindhoven in our upcoming Champions League clash or Tottenham Hotspur in the highly-anticipated North London Derby at the weekend, those mistakes may have been punished.