Three more points in the bag, then. And after what was ultimately a quite scintillating performance.
It was something of a struggle early on, as Arsenal battled to get a grip on Dyche's ultra ultra low block, but class tends to come through in the end and although Everton did have a few moments in the first half as Arsenal failed to move the ball around quickly enough, it was ultimately a stroll as for the last 20 minutes Arsenal played a shell-shocked Everton off the park.
Team news; and Jorginho kept his place as Arteta took precautions with Partey's fitness. A problem, we thought, bearing in mind the physicality in Everton's somewhat artisan yet athletic midfield; and frankly the difference between Jorginho and Partey was plain to be seen when the latter replaced the former (feeling under the weather) at half time. Elsewhere, Trossard rightfully kept his place in the side over Nketiah - and we saw some more interesting combinations between him and Martinelli as their partnership develops.
Arsenal started on the front foot, as one would expect, but were confounded by the lack of space being afforded to them. Everton doubled up on Saka continually, although there was more space on the left, where Trossard and Martinelli continually switched positions. As I say, it was all a little ponderous, and there were some moments of concern - especially when Jorginho and Odegaard were each dispossessed, leading to counter attacks; the second one leading to a timely and quite brilliant intervention from Gabriel deep in the Arsenal penalty area. But, apart from the occasional break, Everton were largely toothless; the irritant that is Maupay 'leading' the line after a fashion, with little or no support from midfield.
Having watched the game back, it's actually quite clear that the tensions were merely caused by frustration. For all Arsenal's first half possession, Pickford was rarely threatened. Ultimately, the home team were far superior throughout, and I guess that it was only a matter of time before a big enough overload was made, and sufficient space was found, to give Arsenal that initial opening. But it took as many as 40 minutes.
Martinelli found himself in the outside right position, distracting Myolenko enough for Saka to find some space. He called for the ball and Zinchenko - sublime once more in this match - rolled the ball into him on the edge of the area. A simple trap and turn; and then a ferocious lash of the ball into near post 'top bins'. With his right (wrong) foot! Another superb - and timely - contribution, from an exceptional footballer.
For Arsenal go into half time at 2-0 was frankly surprising. But a moment of carelessness from Gueye - unaware that Saka was closing him down - led to him being dispossessed and the ball rebounded from Saka's tackle into the path of Martinelli, who calmly sent the ball inside Pickford's near post for his third goal in three successive games since being 'rested'. The flag went up immediately; but this time VAR - used as it should be to deal with 'clear and obvious' errors - found the Brazilian to be just onside. Thank you very much!
If there was anything extra to pick out of the first half, it was that Odegaard hadn't been at his best, and nor was the distribution top class from Saliba or White. But that's nit-picking, really. On the other hand, Zinchenko, ostensibly left back but pushing continually into midfield, was having a superb game - that his assist for the first goal came from the inside right position was quite remarkable, really.
If anything, the arrival of Partey at half time merely strengthened Arsenal's stranglehold on the game. Whilst Jorginho's passing is perhaps a little better than that of Thomas, the latter's ability to take the ball in tight spaces, beat the press with a swift turn and drive forward is something that Italian/Brazilian does not possess. The increased physicality that he offered snuffed out any hope that Everton may have had of muscling their way back into the game. Frankly, they were completely unable to raise their game in any shape or form as Arsenal spent the second half in complete control. If I were an Everton supporter, I'd be extremely concerned about what the next couple of months may hold.
Arsenal's total dominance meant a third goal on 70 minutes as Odegaard's Ozil-like pass into the net completed a smooth move started by Zinchenko's drive into midfield. Trossard, released on the left, picked out the Norwegian with precision, and he swept the ball home cosily. And from then on the party started in earnest, as Arsenal began to slice through Everton like a hot knife through butter. When the crowd starts 'ole-ing' in the 75th minute, you know how easy it is.
Martinelli nearly set up substitute Nketiah. And a little later the other substitute, Vieira. Odegaard's curler was blocked. Martinelli nearly set up Saka. Pickford blocked a golden opportunity for Eddie, set up by a sublime pitching wedge pass from Partey, and Vieira miskicked when the ball rebounded to him. Odegaard befuddled Iwobi in a challenge in midfield. And then Zinchenko's sublime pre-assist released Eddie, whose cross was tapped in at the near post by Martinelli. In a celebratory atmosphere, it was turning into a thrashing.
And to put the icing on the cake, Emile Smith Rowe got 10 minutes or so at the end. Just Jesus to return now (and what an impact he's likely to have!), and then the squad will be at absolute full strength. A far cry from last season, when they were down to the bare bones - and suffered for it. The work off the pitch is paying dividends on it.
Great also to see Kieran Tierney, who appears to have learned from Zinchenko in the same way as Eddie has from Jesus, taking the Ukrainian's place for the final stages - and also his position in midfield; one raking 40 yard crossfield ball from the inside right position to ESR on the left wing was a thing of absolute beauty. And chances continued to come; both Vieira had opportunities to make it 5 in one scramble.
But we settled for 4-0. 5 points clear now, with 13 matches to go. Goal difference narrowed to just 6 now, and Bournemouth the visitors on Saturday. The squad in rude health, with confidence fully restored after a sticky period. Who knows how this may go, but Arsenal are in position to give this a real go now.
I can barely wait for Saturday. COYG!!!!
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