Gunners make it three wins in a week as boss Mikel inspires his men to take fight to Toffees
SO much for two managers bringing stability and calm, and making their teams harder to beat.
But if they carry on producing entertainment like this, no one will complain because Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti delivered one of the games of the season.
Five goals, chances galore, kamikaze defending and, ultimately, a huge win for
Arsenal to push them up to the dizzy heights of ninth but, more importantly, within sight of a European place.
Quite how the Gunners clung on is anyone’s guess because they looked shattered after a midweek trip to Athens, running on empty in the final 20 minutes, and in debt to keeper Bernd Leno.
But of all the things Arteta has improved during his two months in charge, the biggest is the heart, spirit and determination he has instilled.
Now this is a team ready to fight. Pierre-emerick Aubameyang scored twice but his manof-the-match performance was also about hard work, fight and setting a captain’s example. The same can be said of Mesut Ozil, while Bukayo Saka made a difference again.
It is incredible to think that Arteta and Ancelotti were installed on the same weekend before Christmas and, with both managers watching from the stands at Goodison Park, the two teams produced a dreadful goalless draw with no passion.
But fast-forward to the Emirates and they both look a totally different proposition. Ancelotti lost but has got Everton going again.
Dominic Calvert
Lewin is surely worth an England call-up and Richarlison was outstanding.
There was a feel-good story, too, as Andre Gomes came on as a substitute to a brilliant reception just 112 days after suffering a horrific leg break. But the day belonged to Arsenal with their third win in a week – even if they did make life difficult for themselves. The first goal came within a minute and was down to shambolic defending.
Gylfi Sigurdsson floated a free-kick into the box,
Referee
Attendance
David Luiz inadvertently headed it on to Calvert-lewin, who produced a spectacular acrobatic finish.
He has now scored 12 goals in the Premier League this term, double his previous best tally.
Arsenal looked shell-shocked but it all changed when Sead Kolasinac went off after a heavy collision with Djibril Sidibe, and on came Saka. This kid is electric. A winger playing at full-back, one they were not sure of a while back, who now looks unstoppable.
Saka, 18, broke down the left, his cross was sensational, an open invitation for Eddie Nketiah, who just had to steer the ball past Jordan Pickford. For Saka, that was his 10th