Everton 2-1 Arsenal: 5 talking points as Demarai Gray stunner downs Gunners | Premier League 2021-22

Everton beat Arsenal for their first win in nine games this season.
Everton beat Arsenal for their first win in nine games this season.

#3 Richarlison gets third time lucky

Richarlison saw two goals ruled out before scoring/
Richarlison saw two goals ruled out before scoring/

Nothing seemed to be going to plan for Everton's Richarlison against Arsenal. He saw two goals chalked off by VAR for offside in the build-up.

The Brazilian thought he headed Everton in front just before half-time, but he was marginally offside. Richarlison then saw a superb finish also ruled out,as the striker was millimetres ahead of the last Arsenal outfield player.

His frustration reached boiling point, but Richarlison didn't give up. He sparked Everton's comeback late on with a looping header off Gray's effort that had come off the crossbar. The hosts would go on to win on the night.


#2 More injury concerns for Yerry Mina

No respite for Mina (right)
No respite for Mina (right)

Yerry Mina started for Everton for the first time since their draw with Manchester United in October. However, he lasted barely half an hour before going off with another injury.

Since joining The Merseysiders from Barcelona in 2018, the Colombian centre-back has missed 30 games across eight injury spells. He is now likely set for another spell on the sidelines.

Mina's return last night was expected to restore normalcy, according to manager Rafael Benitez. Everton have conceded 1.33 goals with him in the side as compared to 2.28 without him.

Instead, the occasion turned into a nightmare for the star once again, whose injury woes just don't seem to have any end in sight.


#1 Ben Godfrey escapes red against Arsenal

Godfrey (right) escaped a red card, in a huge let off for Everton.
Godfrey (right) escaped a red card, in a huge let off for Everton.

The match saw VAR being called into question several times. While it got most of its decisions right, Ben Godfrey's stamp on Takehiro Tomiyasu has stoked controversy.

The Everton left-back stuck his boots into the Japanese international in the second half, in what seemed like a nasty challenge. However, the VAR somehow didn't find it a red card-worthy offence.

It may not have been malicious, with Godfrey turning in that moment and losing his bearings before making the challenge, but was it nasty? Definitely, and such incidents often result in players getting sent off.

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