4 positives and 1 negative from Arsenal's comfortable 2-0 win over Everton

Arsenal at home to Everton: Premier League history tells us that there is generally just one outcome here.

The Toffees had a single league win in their last 30 visits prior to this weekend (coming back in 2021) and, in David Moyes, have a manager whose record suggested they would not buck the trend on their latest jaunt (no wins in his 13 trips as Everton boss).

No surprise, then, that the Gunners would claim their usual victory with a degree of comfort. In fact, the sole shock was how quick they took the lead as this fixture is normally something of a bore-fest to watch.

4 positives and 1 negative from Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win against Everton

But two goals, a clean sheet and no drama is the exact sort of combination that a nervy Arsenal side (more so the fanbase) will gladly take.

Here are four positives and one negative for the champions to digest from their comfortable 2-0 win against Everton.

Positive #1: Fast start

This is not the Arsenal we know and love.

Fans are used to seeing slow starts from the Gunners. Indeed, it was only last week that they caused a stir for their ‘methodical’ approach at Nottingham Forest (led to just one effort on target all match – they made it count).

They looked much brighter against Bayern Munich though, and that was followed by a front-footed performance here which saw them take the lead on seven minutes. It marked the first Gunners goal during the first half of a Premier League match since GW3 and it was just one highlight in a half of good general play.

The only grievance was that, after 12 shots and roughly 60% possession, the home team did not have a bigger lead.

Their fast start and early breakthrough helped to ease tensions – not something the Emirates crowd are accustomed to – as well as making a refreshing change to the matchday dynamic; Everton can be a tough nut to crack at the best of times.

Hopefully they keep it up.

Negative #1: Not building on it

This is the Arsenal we know and love.

For all of their domination, the Gunners could not add to their 1-0 lead until well into the second-half period.

The intervening hour – from Konsa’s opener to the Gabriel header – saw them spurn a host of quality chances on the counter, with poor hold-up play (Viktor Gyokeres) or a reluctance to shoot (especially from Martin Odegaard) costing them a priceless cushion.

Failure to kill off PL games can easily haunt you and Everton did probe on a few occasions, even if it was a miscued Merlin Rohl cross just after the break which came closest to getting the visitors back on level terms.

Thankfully, the sucker punch did not come and Gabriel headed home to ensure Arsenal would come away with the three points.

Positive #2: Corner goals are back!

Set piece again, ole ole!

Arsenal were famously prolific at set pieces last term but have famously lacked in that department so far this year. However, a mix of world-class deliverers and giants spread throughout the team meant their dry spell was never going to last.

Though it was not the height advantage that ended it. The corner goal, instead, came off the back of awful Everton defending which sparked a goal-mouth scramble and Ezri Konsa could hardly miss his chance to notch a first goal in red and white.

Seeing that ball nestle past Jordan Pickford felt like a hug from an old friend. It is good to have them back.

Positive #3: Gabriel survives injury scare

Arsenal fans, as one, felt shivers go up their backs when Gabriel slumped to the ground on the hour mark.

The Brazil international stretched to clear out dangerous Everton cross but would land awkwardly in the process and needed some medical attention. It looked like he had a possible hamstring issue at first glance.

Mikel Arteta already has William Saliba out and Bukayo Saka could be sidelined for up to two months while Piero Hincapié is only just back after a short layoff. Adding Gabriel to the list is the last thing he needs.

But it was good news in the end; Gabriel brushed it off and even scored a goal to earn the Gunners a deserved win.

About time some injury luck went their way.

Positive #4: Arsenal peg back Man City

I know, I know, it is only GW8. No one will take much interest in the PL table until at least the turn of the year.

But there is little no doubt that Man City are the biggest threat to the Arsenal title defence, and their ominous start to the campaign – seven wins out of seven – indicated the champions would do well to not fall too far behind.

They had committed the cardinal sin of losing at Brighton last month but, thankfully, City slipped up at Aston Villa in the early kick off (for the fourth season in a row) and the Gunners’ own win against Everton ties them up on 21 points.

Legal matters might render the whole thing moot but Arsenal cannot rely on that so it is encouraging to have caught up so quickly.

And City have Brighton next…

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