Kieran Tierney took the plaudits from his Arsenal teammates on Monday night after dishing up a wonderful assist for Martin Odegaard.
But it was Everton who had the last laugh as the Gunners collapsed once the Scotland defender was substituted off.
Tierney suffered an ankle injury back in October and has had to wait patiently for his return to the side.
Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares took his spot and while Tierney came through two games for Steve Clarke's team unscathed in November, Mikel Arteta has treated him with caution.
But he was finally unleashed into the starting XI to face Everton at Goodison Park alongside fellow returnee Granit Xhaka.
And while there was an evident rust to his game, he showed his class late in the first half with a wonderful assist to set up Odegaard from the opener.
The former Celtic defender charged towards the byline and floated one back towards the Norwegian who slammed home on the brink of half-time.
And he was seen at the centre of celebrations as teammates congratulated him on making his presence felt.
There was substantial late drama however as after Tierney was brought off, Arsenal collapsed under the weight of Everton pressure.
Brazilian Richarlison - who had seen two earlier goals chalked off by VAR - levelled it with a header with ten minutes to go to set up a tense finish.
And winger Demarai Gray sent the home side delirious with a spectacular stoppage time winner that sent Arsenal home with nothing to show for it.
