Player Ratings | Arsenal 2-0 Everton

Jordan Pickford – 6

Made an excellent save in the first half during some rare Arsenal pressure for the opening 45 minutes, and couldn’t do much about their quick-fire double in the second period. Was quite obviously frustrated for the rest of the game, but retained concentration and distribution remained decent.

Jonjoe Kenny – 5

Made some good challenges in a much more ballsy performance from Everton’s defence in the first half especially, but Unai Emery had evidently aimed much of his attacks down the youngster’s flank and he suffered because of it.

Michael Keane – 6

A solid return to the team for the centre-back who played with a headband, as pictured above, and added some much-needed authority to a dangerously inexperienced Everton defence. Also threatened from set-pieces on a couple of occasions, but couldn’t beat an in-form Petr Cech, who summed it up by knocking Keane’s headband off after they challenged for the ball.

Kurt Zouma – 6

Another decent performance from a player still finding his feet in an Everton shirt, and getting used to playing in Silva’s style. Left less gaps than last week, and powerful as ever.

Lucas Digne – 6

Digne is a constant threat down the left flank when Everton choose that side to attack down, which is frequent as the Frenchman shares it with Richarlison. Was booked after tripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when struggling to get back into position in the first half, and has to make sure he doesn’t leave that gap exposed when pushing forward.

Let Everton down once in a momentous attack with a poor cross in space, but can be forgotten due to his otherwise reliable delivery. Almost scored with a curling free-kick but for a good save from Cech.

Idrissa Gueye – 6

A much-improved performance on last week, back to his tenacious self without Schneiderlin to bump into and trip over in defensive midfield. Covered a lot of ground, but could have been a little better on the ball.

Tom Davies – 5

Quite poor in possession, was the young Everton captain for today. Wayward passes cut out Everton attacks on several occasions, but he showed his usual enthusiasm and was full of running. Put in some great tackles though, to be fair to Davies.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 6

Still waiting for him to show up as the real creative force for Everton this season. Put in a few good balls and covered a lot of ground, but again failed to grab the game by its balls, even in a first half where Everton were on the front foot for large periods.

Theo Walcott – 6

Got into the game more than we have seen earlier this season in the first half, often threatening his former employers with his pace, but struggled to get past Cech. Strangely obtained a black eye after one missed chance, and was never as effective afterwards with his eyesight halved.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5

Full of running in the first half, finding some luck getting in behind the Arsenal back line, but always seemed to stutter when approaching the end product. Wasted a couple of great chances which Everton were left to rue for the rest of the game.

Richarlison – 7

Provided the Everton side with a massive boost, carrying his Brazil form into this one and helping Everton completely forget about last week’s result. Extremely threatening on the front foot, especially in the first half, but his influence waned after Arsenal gained control.

SUBS:

Bernard – 6 (Walcott, 72)

Continued his belated pre-season with another 20 minutes under his belt, here. Not hit top gear yet, of course, so at least we can look forward to that.

Cenk Tosun – 6 (Calvert-Lewin, 72)

Full of running off the bench, and may benefit from a spell out of the starting eleven, as he did when he first arrived.

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