Football Features

Player ratings from Arsenal 3-2 Everton as Ozil is “quietly central” in third straight win

By charlie.bradley

Arsenal 3-2 Everton: Player Ratings | Squawka

Published: 18:38, 23 February 2020

Arsenal powered past Everton in a chaotic clash at the Emirates stadium as defensive mishaps were redeemed by unrelenting attacking brilliance.

The Gunners gifted Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin the opener after a set-piece mix-up but equalised through youngster Eddie Nketiah.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s Henry-esque finish was then cancelled out by Richarlison’s poked strike from a corner, leaving the sides level at 2-2 by half time.

Aubameyang‘s pinpoint header in the opening seconds of the second half was enough to secure victory, despite a nervy finish for the hosts.

As Arsenal continue their best run of the season under Mikel Arteta, here are the full player ratings from the game at the Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal

Bernd Leno – 7 – Hesitancy allowed Richarlison to poke home just before half time, but the German was resurgent in the second half.  He made a great reflex save against Calvert-Lewin in the 70th minute and then another from his strike partner’s left-footed effort 10 minutes later. On top of all that, a brilliant dash out of goal to thwart an Everton attack. Produced when it really mattered.

Hector Bellerin – 7 – Started brightly, moving the ball quickly and getting forward regularly. Reliable if not spectacular.

Shkodran Mustafi – 4 – Luiz’ partner in crime for the first Everton goal, and bullied by Mina for the second. Nightmare day at the office.

David Luiz – 6 – Rolled out the red carpet for Holgate for the first goal – redeemed himself with a brilliant assist for Arsenal’s second.

Sead Kolasinac – 3 – Played 15 minutes before going off injured. Bullied for the first goal and caught out again, nearly allowing Iwobi to score. Early shower probably a blessing for Arsenal.

Dani Ceballos – 8 – Surprisingly, the Spanish playmaker’s contribution provided steel and grit. The Emirates was cheering his tackling more than his creativity on Sunday. A really solid display.

Granit Xhaka – 7 – Got off to a sloppy start, but his switch of play in the second half was arrow-like.

Mesut Ozil – 8 – Quietly central in a lot of Arsenal’s best moments. Two pre-assists in a display that was only outshone by the goal scorers.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 9 – Provided a sumptuous, Henry-style finish for the second and a well-placed header for the third. Unrelenting goalscorer.

Nicolas Pepe – 8 – Created two half-chances in the first half and was the most threatening player early on. He went on to provide an assist for the third goal. Starting to repay that price tag in recent weeks.

Eddie Nketiah – 7- Bagged his first goal for Arsenal this season with his first chance. Wasn’t a leading light but time is on his side. Long-term replacement for Alexandre Lacazette?

Substitutes:

Buyako Saka (for Kolasinac 18′) – 8 – Sensational cross to set up the first and added some much-needed composure at left-back. Sidibe will also hope he never bumps into him again.

Lucas Torreira (for Ceballos 75′) – 6- Brought on to help see out the result, and provided the reassuring presence in front of his centre backs.

Matteo Guendouzi (for Ozil 82′) – 7 – Guendouzi brought with him the industry needed to see out the game, closing down Everton well when he came on. It even nearly helped Nketiah get a brace.

Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.

Everton

Jordan Pickford – 5 – A performance without a memorable save or mistake. Ultimately let down by those in front of him.

Djibril Sidibe – 2 – Caught napping for Aubameyang‘s goals, failed to track his man all day and very little threat going forward. He was also terrorised by Saka at times.

Yerry Mina – 4 – Nuisance at both set-piece goals for Everton and stepping out with the ball. Also at fault for Arsenal’s first two goals. Possibly the most chaotic footballer of all time?

Mason Holgate – 5- Aware to danger early on but caught napping with Mina for Arsenal’s first goal. However, he was let down by the right half of his defence today.

Leighton Baines – 5 – Delivery was threatening at times, but often isolated and therefore forced to recycle possession rather than drive forward.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 6 – Helped out defensively and took responsibility on the ball as Delph-Schneiderlin pivot floundered. Failed to penetrate Arsenal’s backline from open play.

Morgan Schneiderin – 5 – Caught on the ball when he got booked. An overall nondescript 60-minute display in a hapless Everton midfield.

Fabian Delph – 4 – Sloppy on the ball at times and offering little more than five-yard passes.

Alex Iwobi – 6 – Curled one just wide early on, won the ball on occasions and when tucking in. Also provided a threat going forward.

Richarlison – 8 – Created chances early on and dropping deep well. He was the fight in Everton’s performance and battled for his goal.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6 – A sublime, athletic strike before helping out in defence when off the ball. He missed a big chance late on that could have brought his side level, skewing wide from Richarlison’s cross. He then missed a great chance from a header after that.

Substitutes:

Andre Gomes (for Schneiderlin 60′) – 7 – Eased back into action after a long-term injury. Found his footing with a safe half-an-hour at central midfield, providing much-needed composure.

Bernard (for Iwobi 60′) – 5 – Failed to build on what had been a respectable day at the office for Iwobi.

Moise Kean (for Delph 82′) – 5 –Struggled to find openings off the bench. Drilled a long-range effort wide, but failed to impact the game.