Arsenal 3-2 Everton: 5 talking points – Saka confirms a permanent place

Arsenal hosted Everton in a successful afternoon for them…

Playing Everton is never an easy fixture for Arsenal. However, when it is the Gunners that are the home side, it tends to be a home side. In fact, Everton have never beaten Arsenal in a league match at the Emirates Stadium and this hoodoo continues.

Three Arsenal goals, via Eddie Nketiah and a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace, counteracted Everton’s goals coming from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

It was an eventful match, unless you only watched the second half. In which case, I can only apologise for what you witnessed. On that note, here’s the first lesson learned.

1. Mikel Arteta needs to improve his time management

This article isn’t going to be anti-Arteta. Relax. He did an excellent job today and his formation was spot on.

However, one minor thing which irritates me about Arteta is that he was far too quick to shut-up-shop today. I remember in the 75th minute, Mesut Ozil was walking and passing the ball back (which I’m assuming is what he was told to do, since he had an excellent game).

Seeing the game out is something you do at two or three goals ahead, not when there is still 15 minutes of the 90 remaining and the opposition are on the hunt for a goal.

Plus, Arteta needs to learn that Arsenal aren’t as confident seeing out play as Manchester City were. But this will all come with time and, as I said, Arteta did most things right today. Now onto some positives, yeah?