Arsenal have the opportunity to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League tonight as they host Everton at the Emirates.
It’s a game in hand that has been much talked about in recent weeks – the Gunners now get their chance to make the most of it.
A defeat to Everton at Goodison Park a month ago, inSean Dyche’s first match in charge, started Arsenal’s first stumbling run in the League this season, but recent wins on the road against Aston Villa and Leicester have got things back on track forMikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners go with the same side that beat Leicester, with Leandro Trossard as a false nine and Thomas Partey still on the bench.
Advertisement
Key storylines & in-form players to watch
The Gunners weren’t at their free-flowing best against Leicester last time out but they didn’t need to be. They dominated possession and Leicester barely had a chance.
Arteta’s side are showing they can win games in different ways and with Trossard, Martinelli, Saka, Nketiah and Odegaard all chipping in with key goals at different times, they look set to sustain this title push until the very end of the season.
Everton’s issues have been scoring goals and they created some great openings against Villa but just couldn’t finish. They have scored just 17 goals this season which is the lowest number in the Premier League.
Advertisement
They will try and keep things tight at the back and hope to cause havoc from set-piece situations at the Emirates.
They now go in search of revenge against the Toffees, who have struggled to kick on since that win over the Gunners.
Everton sit 18th in the table with the worst attacking record in the League. Follow the live coverage with Infoexpert24 below:
It’s a huge night for Arsenal. A five-point lead at the top of the Premier League would give them something of a safety net, particularly with a trip to the Etihad to come.
Another slip-up though and it will feel like the momentum has been handed to Man City again.
Here we go…
Teams are in the tunnel at the Emirates, another brilliant atmosphere in north London as you’d expect.
Advertisement
Players out onto the pitch – very nearly time to get up and running.
KICK-OFF!
We’re up and running at the Emirates! Big night ahead.
1 min: We’re off. About ten seconds played and Gabriel has already whacked Onana with a flailing arm as they challenged in the air for the ball.
Advertisement
For now, Everton are pressing relatively high up the pitch. Doubt that will remain the case.
3 mins:McNeil’s first break forward on the left, Arteta so tight to the touchline that he almost tackles the winger. Richard Keys has just had his dinner ruined.
Everton have won two of their 30 Premier League visits to Arsenal – history not on their side.
Advertisement
5 mins:Lovely move from Arsenal, play their way out from the back and all the way wide to Saka who can have a first run with the ball. Wins a corner for the hosts.
Saka takes it short, clever move ends with Jorginho lifting an effort wide of the far post.
7 mins:Everton’s first bright moment in attack. Maupay given plenty of space, enough time to receive the ball and turn. Shoots from distance, comfortable enough for Ramsdale.
Advertisement
Arsenal goalkeeper then throws it straight to an Everton shirt – gets away with it.
8 mins:Jorginho robbed by Onana, great chance for Everton to break.
McNeil has work to do as it comes wide to him, played across the face of goal and Maupay can’t beat Ramsdale with the flicked finish.
Advertisement
Getty Images
10 mins:Another Arsenal corner, another routine. Jorginho then looks to play it into the box, headed out.
Here come Everton again on the break, Doucoure and Maupay unable to make the most of that. Arsenal looking a bit vulnerable in transition.
13 mins: Saka has had a couple of bright moments, but McNeil is doing a great job of tracking back and doubling up on him.
Advertisement
At the other end of the pitch, Iwobi shrugs off Zinchenko and Martinelli, but the left-back is then well-placed to intercept the pass inside.
15 mins: Mykolenko late on Saka, free-kick. Won’t be the last time the Arsenal man is fouled tonight.
The Gunners the better side so far, but they’ve given Everton a few chances to break. The Toffees’ midfield has the athleticism to cause real problems.
Advertisement
Lovely interplay between Odegaard and Saka, offside flag halts the progress though.
17 mins:Some brilliant football being played by Arsenal, faced with a wall of blue shirts. Final ball not there yet though – a bit ‘walking it in’ so far.
Arteta will be relatively pleased with what he’s seen though. Got to feel the chances will come soon.
Advertisement
21 mins:Terrible pass from Zinchenko. Straight to Iwobi, Xhaka back to concede the corner. These are where Everton come alive.
Not hugely convincing from Arsenal but they clear, and Martinelli is charging away down the left. Takes too long though, Iwobi across and sees it out for a goal-kick.
23 mins:Arsenal’s passing hasn’t been up to scratch so far. Jorginho has already gone for a couple of ambitious balls over the top that haven’t come off.
Advertisement
Better ball this time out wide to Saka, whistle has gone though. Onana down with a head injury, which does not thrill the Emirates.
25 mins:Arteta called Odegaard over for a chat during that stoppage, the Gunners’ boss passing on some instructions to try and get his side going.
Fair to say Arsenal are pretty fed up of facing Dyche and Everton already.
Advertisement
28 mins:Trossard digs a cross out after getting to the byline, Coleman there to head it away. Just so many blue shirts in the way.
Crowd doing their best to lift the intesity from Arsenal – instead Everton are breaking dangerously.
Wide to Doucoure, inside to Maupay who can’t get a shot away from inside the box. Really good from Gabriel.
Advertisement
31 mins:Arsenal’s best moments are coming in wide areas, when they get down the side of the Everton defence. Not happening enough so far.
Dyche will be thrilled with what he’s seen so far. One shot from Arsenal, that came from a corner.
Arsenal 0-0 Everton
Advertisement
Arsenal fans scream at Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as he goes down for the third time in the game. He was caught by Gabriel in the face on this occasion.
33 mins:Onana down as he looks to beat Gabriel – not getting anything for that. Both are them unhappy with each, neither like to miss out on the choice to have an argument.
White looks to play Saka in down the line, really poor ball. Arsenal forcing it, getting frustrated.
Advertisement
36 mins:Nearly 70% possession for Arsenal, but they’re not really doing anything with it. A low-block causing the Gunners problems again.
Would help if they started passing to those in red, rather than blue…
39 mins:White wide to Saka, who hasn’t been able to get any sort of joy so far.
Advertisement
Arsenal work it to the opposite flank, Gabriel able to join the attack with Everton having everyone back. The visitors do a good job of staying solid though, Arsenal forced back to the halfway line.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Everton | Bukayo Saka 40′
OUT OF NOWHERE!
Massive moment for Arsenal, because this was getting really frustrating for them.
Advertisement
Zinchenko drifts over to the right wing, and slides a sensational pass through to Saka. One touch to control it on the swivel, another to move it on and a third to hammer it past Pickford at the near post.
43 mins:Arsenal can be a bit more patient now, just controlling things without the need to push.
Trossard the latest man to go down after catching an elbow in the face. Arsenal free-kick.
Advertisement
DISALLOWED GOAL
Arsenal 1-0 Everton
Just as the board goes up for four minutes added on, Arsenal think they’re 2-0 up.
But Gabriel Martinelli’s goal is ruled out for offside.
Advertisement
Video Assistant Referee
Arsenal 1-0 Everton
They are checking this actually. Bukayo Saka nicks the ball off Idrissa Gueye and Gabriel Martinelli runs through to slot home.
But was Martinelli actually offside? It’s close.
Advertisement
GOAL – Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Gabriel Martinelli (45+1 mins)
It’s given!
It was awful play by Idrissa Gueye, who was day dreaming when Bukayo Saka tackled him withGabriel Martinellirunning through beforefiring past Jordan Pickford.
Advertisement
HT: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
And that’s half-time.
A frustrating night for Arsenal on the whole, but a flying finish to the half has them in complete control.
They’re going five points clear as it stands.
Advertisement
Reuters
50 – Bukayo Saka has become the sixth-youngest player in Premier League history to reach 50 goals+assists in the competition, after Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler, Cesc Fàbregas and Chris Sutton. Jewel. pic.twitter.com/JFRVnK4BX8
So just three shots in that half for Arsenal. One from Jorginho in the opening minutes, and then the two goals. Ruthless from the Gunners to put themselves in charge,
Advertisement
They’ve had 66% possession too – got to fancy them to see this out from here now.
Back underway!
Up and running again at the Emirates – Arsenal 45 minutes away from extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Partey coming on for the hosts, he’s replacing Jorginho.
Advertisement
47 mins:Holgate has come on for Gueye, slotting into midfield. Dyche perhaps not impressed with Gueye’s role in that second goal…
Will Everton push right from the off for a way back into this game? Wouldn’t bank on it.
49 mins:Mykolenko giving Saka bear hug, ends up landing awkwardly as the Arsenal man comes down on top of him.
Advertisement
As expected, the Gunners looking more relaxed and patient, now they have that two-goal lead.
53 mins:Relatively low-key start to the half. Arsenal won’t mind that too much considering the circumstances.
Bit more control in midfield now Partey is on, Gunners not looking as vulnerable on the counter.
Advertisement
55 mins:Maupay tries his luck from distance… miles over the bar.
He’s had very little service all night, but that fell for him. Gabriel didn’t deal with the long ball forward at all.
Here come the Gunners at the other end of the pitch, Mykolenko heads away to safety.
Advertisement
58 mins: Odegaard wide to Saka, shot with his left foot is blocked.
Rebound falls to Partey, who is urged to try his luck from about 30 yards out. Good self-restraint, opts not too.
White puts a great ball into the box, Coleman puts off Trossard who makes a mess of the volley.
Advertisement
63 mins: Better spell for Everton, Ramsdale forced into a smart save to deny McNeil.
Arsenal don’t want to concede here, obviously. Would completely change the complexion of the match.
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Gabriel Martinelli air-heads a cross and it goes wide. Like an air kick but for a header.
Advertisement
66 mins:Godfrey into the book, caught Trossard on the knee. Everton felt they should have had a free-kick themselves a few seconds earlier.
The defender too keen to make an impression there, came clattering in.
68 mins: Martinelli’s shot blocked, not sure that was the best option. Wins a corner though.
Advertisement
Short once more, Odegaard swings the cross in and Tarkowski is there to head away. Zinchenko sees it out for a throw-in.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Everton | Martin Odegaard 71′
Arsenal will go five points clear. Trossard cuts it back into the box and Odegaard is there to fire it into the roof of the net!
Leandro Trossard, who is just about to be replaced by Eddie Nketiah, runs onto a ball down the left and cuts it back forMartin Odegaard.
Advertisement
The Arsenal captain sweeps it in with a first-time effort from 12 yards – helped in on the way with a deflection.
74 mins:Two Arsenal changes.
Xhaka and Trossard coming off, Vieira and Nketiah the two to come on. That Arsenal bench looking much stronger now
Advertisement
75 mins:Pickford saves from Martinelli, Everton really struggling now. Arsenal rampant.
Crowd cheering every pass now – miserable 15 minutes coming up for Everton.
77 mins:Odegaard effort blocked, after Martinelli breaks away. Pressure is relentless.
Advertisement
Onana very much on ‘kick anything that moves’ watch. He’s getting increasingly frustrated in this party atmosphere.
79 mins: Pressure from Arsenal
Eddie Nketiah almost makes it four but his shot is saved by Jordan Pickford and Fabio Vieira shoots over with the rebound.
Advertisement
GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Everton | Gabriel Martinelli 81′
IT IS FOUR NOW!
Arsenal cutting Everton apart at will. Another glorious move, Nketiah involved as he plays the ball in and Martinelli is on hand for his second of the night.
82 mins:Tierney and Smith Rowe on for Arsenal, Zinchenko and Saka make way.
Advertisement
Still at least ten minutes to go in north London – Everton praying for the final whistle already.
85 mins:Odegaard down the line to White, crosses it in and headed out to Vieira.
Everton just about survive! Vieira and Smith Rowe denied by some desperate defending – Arsenal continue to pile forward at every opportunity.
Advertisement
88 mins:Feels like Arsenal have now eased off, just controlling things with full comfort now.
Shame, it’s been a lot of fun in the last 20 minutes or so. Some stunning football played by Arsenal tonight, after what was a frustrating 40 minutes for them.
90 mins: Two minutes added on. That’s what you call mercy, from the fourth official.
Advertisement
Smith Rowe is buzzing around trying to make an impact, been a bright cameo from him.
FULL-TIME
Arsenal 4-0 Everton
It’s all over.
Advertisement
Arsenal go five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after blowing away Everton, who remain in the relegation zone.