Everton 0-1 Arsenal: Player Ratings – Trossard Class but Saka Poor
Arsenal managed to break the spell of misfortune at Goodison Park with a narrow yet crucial 1-0 win over Everton today. The match saw Leandro Trossard, lovingly referred to as Leo, seize the spotlight with a goal that made all the difference.
In a clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, here’s a closer look at how the players performed.
David Raya (7.5): Making his debut performance for Arsenal, Raya delivered a solid display, although he wasn’t significantly tested throughout the match.
Ben White (7): White put on a commendable defensive performance, standing out with his involvement in the build-up play. His consistency and reliability were evident throughout the game.
William Saliba (7): Saliba exhibited a dependable defensive presence, displaying remarkable composure and maintaining a collective effort in defense.
Gabriel Magalhães (7): Gabriel had a relatively uneventful game, but his stability at the back was crucial to Arsenal’s performance.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (7.5): Zinchenko played a vital role in both attack and defense, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s offensive moves with his precise passing.
Declan Rice (8): Drawing comparisons to N’Golo Kanté, Rice was ubiquitous on the pitch, showcasing an exceptional work rate from the outset. His performance was a standout feature of the match.
Fabio Vieira (7.5): Vieira had an overall strong game, but his decision-making in the final third left room for improvement.
Martin Ødegaard (6.5): Ødegaard, despite his high standards, had a relatively subdued performance due to the crowded midfield. He was often outnumbered by Everton players.
Bukayo Saka (6): Despite a subpar performance, Saka managed to secure the game-winning assist. It’s a challenge to assign a rating, as his contribution was pivotal yet inconsistent.
Gabriel Martinelli (N/A): Unfortunately, Martinelli’s match rating remains unrated, as he had to exit the game due to injury just moments after coming on.
Eddie Nketiah (5.5): Nketiah faced a tough outing and had to leave the game prematurely, making it difficult to assign the lowest rating among the starters.
Leandro Trossard (8.5): Trossard, named the Man of the Match, exhibited a performance characterized by moments of uncertainty and brilliance. His decision to take the crucial shot and his courage earned him a well-deserved high rating.
As for the substitutes, including Gabriel Jesus, Tomoyasu, and Havertz, they played their part in helping Arsenal secure the lead but didn’t significantly impact the game’s flow.
This victory holds significant importance for Arsenal, not only in terms of breaking the Goodison Park curse but also in boosting their early-season aspirations. It was a hard-fought victory, reminding fans of the team’s resilience and determination, despite a few uneven individual performances. Arsenal will now look forward to building on this momentum in the upcoming fixtures.
