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Arsenal trounced Everton 4-0 at the Emirates in the Premier League on Wednesday (March 1) to go five points clear of Manchester City at the top.
The Gunners arrived on a run of two wins, two defeats and a draw in their last five games across competitions. After a crushing 3-1 home loss to Manchester City, Mikel Arteta's side bounced back with a 4-2 win at Aston Villa followed by a 1-0 win against Leicester City. Two points clear of City at the summit before kick-off, the Gunners won their game in hand to open up an advantage at the top.
Arteta fielded an unchanged lineup as he looked to extend his team's lead atop the summit.
Both Arsenal and Everton looked organised from the start, maintaining their shape well and pressing in numbers. The visitors committed men high up the pitch, creating a few scoring opportunities. They attempted four shots in the first period, hitting the target twice. However, with just 34% possession, their opportunities were limited.
Arsenal, meanwhile, dominated possession and made the most of their chances. They scored with their first shot on goal in the 40th minute, with Oleksandr Zinchenko picking out Bukayo Saka with a lovely pass on the edge of the box. The winger turned and smashed the ball past Jordan Pickford into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.
The Gunners were rewarded for their high press late in the first period. Saka picked the ball off Idrissa Gueye, with Gabriel Martinelli in the right position to receive the ball. He drove forward and slotted in to double the Gunners's lead on the cusp of half-time.
Arteta made one change at the break, with January arrival Jorginho making way for Thomas Partey, who returned after missing a couple of games through injury. The Gunners made a strong start, dominating possession and looking to add to their tally. Dyche made three changes in quick succession in the second half as he looked to bring Everton back into the game.
Arsenal, though, added a third goal midway through the second period to end the game as a contest. Leandro Trossard set up captain Martin Odegaard, who finished from close range. The hosts then played with an added swagger as the home crowd let out an 'ole' after every pass. Martinelli completed his brace, driving the ball into the near post from a cut-back from substitute Edward Nketiah to round up the scoring.
On that note, let's take a look at the Arsenal player ratings.
Aaron Ramsdale - 8/10
Ramsdale made two smart stops in the first half to keep Everton at bay. The Arsenal custodian made three more key saves in the second period to earn his clean sheet.
Benjamin White - 7/10
White had a good game and often ventured forward, putting great crosses into the box, with one of them almost turning out to be an assist for Trossard. He won four of his five duels and played one key pass.
William Saliba - 7/10
Saliba was solid at the back and was bouyed by the vociferous Emirates crowd, who chanted his song in unison. He won two aerial duels and played four accurate long balls.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 7/10
Gabriel had a good game in defence and was strong in duels, winning five of them, and also making two interceptions and one clearance.
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 7.5/10
Zinchenko's movement into various areas all over the pitch caused real problems for Everton. He drifted all the way to the right to provide an assist for Arsenal's opener, playing Saka through on goal.
Granit Xhaka - 6.5/10
Xhaka had a decent game in midfield. He passed the ball with 89% accuracy, including two long balls and also won three of his four duels.
Jorginho - 6.5/10
Jorginho played in the first half and had a decent game, making two duels and as many clearances. He passed the ball with 85% accuracy, including three long balls before he was replaced at the break by Partey.
Martin Odegaard - 7/10
Odegaard passed the ball well and moved into some good attacking positions. He scored Arsenal's third of the night with a late run into the box in the 71st minute. He passed the ball with 93% accuracy, including two key passes.
Gabriel Martinelli - 8.5/10
Martinelli's movement was intelligent, as he often dragged Everton players out of position, allowing his teammates to make runs into space. He showed great awareness, assisting Saka in the press before scoring deep in first half stoppage time. He added a second after the break.
Leandro Trossard - 7/10
Trossard had a few chances but did not make decent contact with the ball. He cut a frustrating figure initially as things didn't go his way, but he maintained his composure, providing a lovely assist for Odegaard in the second half.
Bukayo Saka - 8/10
Saka started the game relatively slowly but had a strong finish to the first half. He scored one and assisted another as Arsenal led 2-0 at the break. He won three duels, played two key passes and made one tackle.
Ratings of Arsenal Substitutes
Thomas Partey - 7.5/10
Partey replaced Jorginho at the break and put in a strong performance on his return to action. He played one key pass and six accurate long balls, and won three duels.
Edward Nketiah - 6.5/10
Nketiah came on in the second period and had a decent shift.
Fabio Vieira - 6.5/10
Vieira replaced Xhaka in left-central midfield in the second period and played well.
Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe - N/A
The pair came on with less than ten minutes left and did not play enough to warrant a rating.
