Arsenal recorded a 1-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Having failed to win away against Everton in the Premier League since 2017, Mikel Arteta will have been desperate for the Gunners bring all three points back to the Emirates Stadium this time around, and got his wish.

Arteta fielded a largely familiar Arsenal starting XI. However, in two key changes, £65 million summer signing Kai Havertz was dropped to the bench in favour of Fabio Vieira, and David Raya was handed his first start between the sticks.

The north London club were certainly dominant in the first half, and but for a tight VAR offside call against Eddie Nketiah, they would have been ahead via a fine finish from Gabriel Martinelli.

After the break Arsenal’s pressure finally told as Leandro Trossard swept home a first time finish that crashed in off the post after the Gunners produced an inventive short corner routine.

Arsenal player ratings

David Raya – 6.5/10

Not overly troubled on his Arsenal debut, but his distribution was reliable and he claimed some crosses well. An encouraging first outing for the twice-capped Spain international.

Ben White – 7.5/10

As usual, the 25-year-old combined well with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard on the right flank, and defended solidly when called upon.

William Saliba – 7.5/10

Dominated Everton striker Beto and did the same to Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he got on the pitch. Arteta has previously stated that Saliba is a “huge” player for the Gunners, and the Frenchman exemplified his importance once again on Merseyside.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 7/10

Aside from one wobble in possession late on, Gabriel was excellent in ensuring the Everton’s long ball game carried no real threat.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 8/10

Was exceptional in possession, cutting through the Everton midfield with incisive passing. Was not especially tested defensively.

Declan Rice – 7.5/10

Once again dominant in the middle of the park. His ability to quickly recover the ball allows Arsenal to sustain their pressure all the more easily and securely.

Fabio Vieira – 6.5/10

Worked hard to get involved in the final third, and produced some nice passes, and had a few sights of the Everton goal, but things didn’t quite fully come off for the Portuguese playmaker.

Martin Odegaard – 8/10

The Arsenal club captain was once again at the heart of almost everything his side did well. Odegaard directed the press and was a constant menace when on the ball. Might have scored with a fiercely struck shot in the second half, but couldn’t beat the ‘keeper.

Bukayo Saka – 7.5/10

Worked very hard whilst being ganged up on and marked tightly. Engaged in a constant battle against Vitaliy Mykolenko and was rewarded for his persistence with an assist for Trossard’s winner.

Gabriel Martinelli – 6.5/10

Looked bright early on, and did brilliantly to bury his chance beyond Jordan Pickford from a tricky angle, before VAR intervened to chalk his effort off. He was then immediately stricken with an injury which saw him replaced by Trossard in the 24th minute. Arteta will be desperately hoping the £90,000-a-week Brazilian hasn’t sustained a serious issue. It will be a major concern if Martinelli is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Eddie Nketiah – 6/10

On the pitch for 65 minutes and frustrated throughout. Was well marshalled by the Everton rearguard, but equally his movement in the box was not sharp enough.

Substitutes:

Leandro Trossard – 8.5/10

Came on for Martinelli in the first half, and struggled to get into the game before the break. Grew into proceedings in the second half and produced a magnificent finish to put the Gunners ahead after a well-worked corner routine.

Gabriel Jesus – 6.5/10

Posed plenty of problems for Arsenal after coming on, as he was able get on the ball far more than Nketiah could.

Kai Havertz – 6/10

Helped Arsenal see out the game with his additional energy.

Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6/10

His physicality proved useful for the Gunners as the hosts sought to go long in search of an equaliser.

The post Concern over £90k-a-week star, 'huge' player shines: Arsenal player ratings v Everton appeared first on Arsenal Insider.