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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal player ratings vs Everton: Oleksandr Zinchenko a calming influence but Eddie Nketiah struggles

Arsenal kept up their unbeaten start to the season by beating Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park.

Before Sunday, the Gunners had not won on the blue half of Merseyside since 2017 - when Arsene Wenger was still in charge of the club.

They had looked on course for another frustrating afternoon when Gabriel Martinelli had an effort ruled out in the first-half.

But Leandro Trossard was Arsenal’s hero as he came off the bench to score the only goal of the game and keep up Mikel Arteta’s side unbeaten start.

Simon Collings was at Goodison Park to see Arsenal in action...

David Raya 6

Didn’t have masses to do in terms of save, but his distribution was solid. Came well for crosses and looked calm. A solid debut.

Ben White 7

A good solid performance from the right-back, who had licence to get forward as Everton sat deep. Looks at his best in this team at right-back.

William Saliba 8

It could have been a very tough afternoon up against Beto, but the Frenchman dealt with him so well using his pace and power. Vital to Arsenal’s defence.

Gabriel 7

In the wars a fair bit as he tried to got toe to toe with Beto a lot of the time. Came out on top and has responded after being out of the team earlier on this season.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 8 | Star man

Brings such calmness to the Arsenal defence. Opened Everton up a few times with some superb long balls from the back. Brilliant on his first start of the season.

Martin Odegaard 7

Denied by a big save from Jordan Pickford early on in the second-half. Grew into the game as it went on and showed calmness as Arsenal saw it out.

Martin Odegaard’s influence grew in the second-half (AP)

Declan Rice 7

Makes such a difference for Arsenal to have a player like the England international in games like this. Helped them win the physical battle.

Fabio Vieira 7

Trusted to start and he had a good game. Was one of Arsenal’s best players going forward and setup their goal that was ruled out for offside.

Bukayo Saka 6

Had to contend with being doubled up on for a lot of the game as Everton looked to keep him quiet. Still managed to setup Trossard’s goal.

Eddie Nketiah 5

A difficult afternoon for the striker, who never really got into the game. Had one half-chance in the second-half, but his shot was blocked.

Gabriel Martinelli 5

Looked to have opened the scoring when he finished well from a good move, but VAR intervened and it was chalked off for offside. Went off injured after just over 20 minutes.

Substitutions

Leandro Trossard (Martinelli 24’) 7

Came off the bench and was Arsenal’s hero as he scored the game’s only goal. Took it really well with his left too.

Gabriel Jesus (Nketiah 66’) 5

Brief cameo off the bench and looked lively in moments. Should start v PSV on Wednesday.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (Zinchenko 80’) N/A

Kai Havertz (Vieira 80’) N/A

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