Their propensity to do things the hard way shows little sign of disappearing just yet but, as Mikel Arteta punched the sky and celebrated with his backroom staff, Arsenal could sense something a little different in the air. This win over a bright Everton side felt significant, even in an arena that knows false dawns like few others, and all of a sudden their path towards the European spots does not look quite as fraught. Arteta has now presided over a run of 10 unbeaten games and, at last, back-to-back league wins: momentum is gathering at the right time and key players at either end of the field are turning it on with regularity.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bernd Leno were those who stood tallest here. If a match this fast, frayed and ragged was played 10 times, Arsenal would probably lose their fair share. But in Aubameyang they have an operator who, as Arteta said, appears re-energised by the demands being placed upon him; his second goal, heading in Nicolas Pépé’s cross with the second half less than half a minute old, was excellently taken and proved decisive after Leno made some vital late stops. Everton attacked in waves during the last quarter and a draw would not have been unfair, but the evidence is mounting that Arteta’s step-by-step reconfiguration is forging something with formidable potential.
Written by Nick Ames at the Emirates Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/23/arsenal-everton-premier-league-match-report under the title “Two-goal Aubameyang clinches win for nervy Arsenal against Everton”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
