Leandro Trossard played a pivotal role in securing a well-deserved victory for Arsenal as they faced a struggling Everton side by scoring the winner. The Belgian winger, who came off the bench, delivered a moment of brilliance in the second half to clinch the win.
It all began with a beautiful pass from Bukayo Saka, who found Trossard in the perfect position. With a masterful touch, Trossard executed a delightful shot that nestled into the net off the post, sending Arsenal fans into raptures. The goal was a testament to the creative genius of Martin Odegaard, who had set up Saka with a clever piece of play during a short corner routine.
In truth, Arsenal could have widened their winning margin at Goodison Park, with Gabriel Martinelli’s stylish finish being ruled out due to an offside call against Eddie Nketiah, after 19 minutes of play. Nevertheless, Arsenal managed to maintain their lead comfortably, securing their first Premier League victory at Goodison since their dominant 5-2 win back in October 2017. This scoreline would have better reflected the gulf in quality between the two teams on that Sunday.
Arsenal now find themselves on 13 points, joining the ranks of Tottenham and Liverpool, just two points behind the league leaders, Manchester City. In contrast, Everton continues to struggle, occupying the third-bottom position in the standings with only one point from their first five matches of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s team is off to a strong start in the Premier League, remaining unbeaten in their opening five matches. Their upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture against PSV Eindhoven promises to be a significant moment, marking their return to Europe’s premier club competition after a six-year absence.
Some pundits may argue that Arsenal may not be as flamboyant as they were in the previous season when they finished second in the league, but they are gradually finding their rhythm as they prepare for European challenges.
While it’s important to acknowledge the role of individual brilliance, it’s worth remembering that a football match involves two teams. Everton’s decision to adopt a defensive strategy and frustrate Arsenal cannot be blamed on the visitors. Despite the mismatch in competitiveness at Goodison, Arsenal dominated large portions of the game. Their exceptional passing style, akin to that of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, positions them as genuine contenders for success in European football’s most prestigious club tournament.
The Arsenal captain, a class act on and off the field, continues to be a vital figure for his team. His performance at Goodison Park exemplified his influence, as he orchestrated the midfield, maintained possession, and ensured his team didn’t panic under pressure. He played a crucial role in the winning goal from the well-executed short corner and was unlucky not to find the net himself when Everton’s defensive line momentarily faltered in an attempt to equalize. His leadership and ability to inspire his teammates contribute significantly to Arsenal’s dominance in their passing game.