Arsenal claimed their first victory at Goodison Park of the post-Arsene Wenger era as Leandro Trossard’s sublime winner sealed a 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon.
The Belgian attacker – a replacement for the injured Gabriel Martinelli – settled an otherwise forgettable game with 20 minutes remaining, as Mikel Arteta’s maintained their unbeaten start to the season ahead of next weekend’s tantalising North London derby, while leaving Sean Dyche’s shot-shy side still searching for their first maximum.
As well as handing David Raya his debut in goal, Arteta introduced Fabio Vieira in place of the ineffective Kai Havertz, and the Portuguese had the Gunners’ first shot of the day with 10 minutes gone, but he fired well over following a short-corner routine.
Everton remained camped inside their own half, though, and Vieira had seemingly laid on an assist for Martinelli in the 19th minute, slipping the ball through to the Brazilian to slot home into the far corner.
The chance had come from a deflected Gabriel Magalhaes pass, which flew off the boot of Beto into the feet of Eddie Nketiah, but the Englishman was in an offside position as the ball left Gabriel’s boot, and the goal was chalked off following a VAR review.
That would prove to be Martinelli’s final act as he went off injured only a few moments later, with Trossard taking his place, and a hitherto sloppy Everton were slowly growing in confidence as the half wore on.
Raya was tested for the first time in the 31st minute, but Idrissa Gueye’s tame long-range effort was meat and drink for the Spaniard, before a Ben White shot from similar range in the 40th minute was straight down the throat of Jordan Pickford.
Arteta’s men were reluctant to take many risks in the first half, but they immediately looked for the forward pass at the start of the second, and Martin Odegaard stung the palms of Pickford within a minute of the resumption.
However, Everton’s defending remained as resolute as ever, and the Toffees still showed signs of life in the final third, as an Arnaut Danjuma half-volley flew just over Raya’s crossbar in the 67th minute.
Arsenal’s pressure would finally pay dividends with 70 minutes gone, though, as moments after getting nowhere with a short corner, a similar routine ended with Bukayo Saka cutting back for Trossard to fire a sumptuous side-footed strike across goal and in off the post.
Chances for Arsenal to double their lead were few and far between, but the Gunners comfortably kept Everton at arm’s length to rise to fourth in the standings, while leaving the Toffees in the relegation zone with just a single point to their name.
The Gunners now prepare to open their Champions League campaign at home to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, while Everton face another London side in Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium next Saturday.
