Old pals act as Everton routed

AUBAMEYANG, MKHITARYAN

Arsenal hope the instinctive understanding between old friends Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan can transform Arsenal’s turbulent season.

Aubameyang marked his Arsenal debut with a goal in Saturday’s 5-1 demolition of Everton, while Mkhitaryan provided three assists in his first start for the Gunners.

The swaggering show from the former Borussia Dortmund teammates was a much-needed boost for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after a difficult January that saw Alexis Sanchez force through a move to Manchester United, while the north Londoners struggled on the pitch.

Gabonese striker Aubameyang joined from Dortmund on deadline day for a club record £56 million, reuniting with Armenian midfielder Mkhitaryan, who arrived earlier in the window from United in a swap deal for Sanchez.

While Aaron Ramsey scored his first career hat-trick against Everton, it was the promising partnership between Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan that stole the show.

Aubameyang was a constant menace with his pace and energy and, while his goal was fortunate as he was offside when he ran onto Mkhitaryan’s pass, there was enough quality on display to suggest he may keep the misfiring Alexandre Lacazette on the bench for the foreseeable future.

Mkhitaryan struggled to make an impact at United, but he looked revitalised at the Emirates Stadium, linking with Aubameyang and Mesut Oezil to devastating effect as Arsenal tore Everton to pieces with four goals in the first half.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce was furious with his side’s display as they tarnished his 500th match as a Premier League manager.

“I’m angry because accepting an instruction is the players’ responsibility at this level of football,” he said.

“They didn’t and that is why we were tumbling goals left, right and centre with our pathetic performance. None of it was any good. All of the team played crap.” – AFP