Everton 2-1 Arsenal- Toffees heap further misery on sorry Gunners

Everton has beaten Arsenal 2-1 at Goodison Park after a Rob Holding own goal and a Yerry Mina header on either side of a Nicolas Pepe penalty condemned Arsenal to yet another defeat.

Captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was missing with a tight calf and was not risked. David Luiz returned to the starting line-up along with Willian and Eddie Nketiah leading the line.

Gabriel Martinelli returned on the bench for the Gunners with Mikel Arteta starting out with a 3-4-3 formation as they looked to get back to winning ways.

The first 20 minutes were rather uneventful with Everton enjoying possession with Arsenal seemingly content to let the Toffees have the ball.

With just over 20 minutes played, Everton found the breakthrough. Former Gunner Alex Iwobi picked up the ball outside the box and whipped a neat cross into Dominic Calvin-Lewin whose header was deflected by Rob Holding past Bernd Leno to give Everton the lead.

After going behind Arsenal enjoyed more possession as they looked to get back into the game with Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka the two who looked most likely to bring Arsenal level.

Eddie Nketiah had a great chance after good work from Kieran Tierney however the youngster put his shot wide.

Arsenal got themselves back into the match after some great work from Ainsley Maitland Niles who drove into the Everton box clipped a ball in and got the rebound. Tom Davis who left his leg out and fouled Maitland Niles and Andre Marriner pointed to the spot. Nicolas Pepe converted the penalty to bring his side level.

However as has been the case this season just as Arsenal have gotten themselves back into the game, they let themselves down and did just before halftime.

With a minute to go in the half, Everton was awarded a corner kick with Yerry Mina given a free run after Nicolas Pepe did not follow the centre back who headed home to give his side the lead heading into the break.

Mikel Arteta had his work cut out yet again to get a response from his Arsenal side.

However a response is what Arteta got as Arsenal dominated the game from the outset, controlling possession and putting Everton on the back foot.

The Gunners hit the post thanks to David Luiz after Jordan Pickford fumbled a Willian cross and left the goal open however Luiz’s shot bounced off the post and Arsenal was still searching for the equalizer.

Arsenal continued to press the issue without threatening the Everton goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s side were content to set back and hit on the counter.

As Arsenal continued to look for an equalizer, seven minutes from time Joe Willock had a chance, however his header when just wide with time running out.

Everton ran out the clock as Arsenal piled on the pressure late in search of an equalizer as they condemned Arsenal to their eighth defeat already on the season.

The pressure is only going to intensify on Mikel Arteta and will not get any easier with Arsenal to play Manchester City in the League Cup and Chelsea in the Premier League as the pain of 2020 seemingly will not end for Arsenal.