What can you say about that last night?!?! It was a night that had everything. Drama galore, a much improved performance (in my opinion) levels of stress that are likely going to take at least a couple of years of my life, late goals, the prodigal son announcing himself on the big stage and most importantly, three massive, massive points. If that wasn’t enough, West Ham then went and did us a favour (thank you Dinos Mavropanos!!) and took two points off Manchester City leaving Arsenal’s lead at the top at an unbelievably healthy 9 points with 7 games left to play. Not a bad way to spend your Saturday evening!!!
As previously mentioned, I thought this was a much improved Arsenal performance, with plenty of shots on goal, albeit many of them speculative, but that’s what we’ve been asking for, a bit of risk taking at the sharp end, instead of playing the percentages every time. The returning Kai Havertz certainly helped with that, as our link play was much improved and I also thought the performances of both Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka were much improved, Martin Zubimendi as well.
The one negative is that we did give up a number of decent chances at the other end as well and were thankful to some last ditch defending, great goalkeeping and the post for keeping the score at 0-0. That said, once Arsenal really put their foot down in the second half, it became a much more one sided affair.
Despite all of the positives, it seemed like time was slipping away from the Gunners and personally, I was trying to get my head round what a draw would mean for our title challenge as we headed into the 90th minute, as I really couldn’t see where the breakthrough would come from.
Thankfully, my lack of faith had no bearing in the outcome as Arsenal’s substitutes decided the game in the final few moments. Firstly the irrepressible Max Dowman, who entered the fray around 75 minutes along with Piero Hincapie, put in peach of a cross to the back post which Jordan Pickford could only get fingertips to. That slight touch would play a big part in what came next as the ball cannoned off Hincapie at the back post and rolled invitingly across the goal line for another substitute, Viktor Gyokeres to prod home from a yard out to send The Emirates absolutely ballistic!!
A moment that felt absolutely huge in the context of the title and there was more to come as Jordan Pickford came forward for a 96th minute corner, with most Arsenal fans watching through their fingers at this point with the final whistle and huge relief just seconds away. Viktor Gyokeres did well to head away the set piece at the near post and yet another substitute Gabriel Martinelli, headed the ball further away which Max Dowman pounced upon. Dowman headed the ball wide into his path and raced after his own touch, about 60 yards from the Everton goal. At this point the chance for a second goal was all of a sudden a real possibility with Gabriel Martinelli making a now trademark lung busting run towards the Everton half. I for one was screaming at the TV for Dowman to play him in, as Fabio Viera had down at Villa Park three years ago, but the 16 year old had other ideas.
Time seemed to stand still as Dowman took an extra couple of touches, not seeming to do a great lot with the ball, but all of a sudden there was an Everton player sat on his back side, another facing the wrong way and a clear path to an unguarded goal laid out in lights for Dowman to stride into. The next bit was all a bit of a blur at the time, but the short version is Dowman rolled the ball into the empty net to become the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer, beating a record held by a former Everton player, James Vaughan, from over 20 years ago and to put the seal on an unbelievable result for Arsenal and to write his name into Arsenal, nay Premier League, history….and breath!!! Here’s how the players rated:
David Raya – 7
Was surprisingly shaky on crosses, which is unusual for Raya, but his shot stopping was as on point as ever, making numerous important saves with the score at 0-0. Earned his clean sheet today.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Worryingly withdrawn in the first half, but even before then he was having real trouble with Ilman Ndiaye, possibly due to the knock he had taken early on. Hopefully the injury is not serious. Some nice link up play with Saka down the right before his early exit.
William Saliba – 9 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Tough not to give POTM to Max Dowman, but I thought William Saliba was an absolute rock. In a game where we came under more pressure than many people expected, Saliba stood tall, headed away countless times and was just a class act from minute one. Saw a lot of the ball, which I’m not a big fan of, but largely used it well, but it was on the transition where he was most impressive as just calmed removed the ball from Beto and then Thierno Barry’s possession with ease so many times, before calmly rolling it across to a teammate. When he plays like this, we always have a chance.
Gabriel – 8
Typical committed performance from Big Gabby, as he was in his usual ‘you shall not pass’ mode from early on. Defended the box well and was seem calming everyone down in the build up to that now legendary Everton corner in stoppage time. A real leader out there.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7
Understandably preferred to Piero Hincapie from the start due to his attacking instincts and the Italian attempted to drive us on at every opportunity. Couple of times where I thought he could have had a shot, but he was always positive, looking forward. Made an unreal block in the first half which stopped a near certain goal with an acrobatic kick out, with David Raya scrambling to cover.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
Much better from Zubimendi. Just seemed to have an extra spring in his step, especially in the first half. Looked to play it forward quickly whenever he got the chance and popped up in some advanced positions, which we haven’t seen for a while. Withdrawn late on for Max Dowman. More like this!
Declan Rice – 8
Covered ground like a mad man. Seriously, he must have three lungs. One occasion where I thought we were about to get caught on the break (I forget who had it now, but I was seriously worried!) and he just came from nowhere to snuff out the danger with minimal fuss, no drama. This happen at least twice, possibly three times and it barely gets noticed by many as it never actually leads to a chance, as Rice is two or three steps ahead and just nips it in the bud before anything even gets started. More positive going forward as well, as he carried it well at times. Would have liked him to shoot on a couple of occasions, but this was a good performance, so I don’t want to be too negative on that front.
Eberechi Eze – 7
Another who was much better. Took the impetus a number of times, whether attempted to thread a ball through or trying a shot from distance. It didn’t all come off, but it really felt like he was always on the verge of opening up the stubborn Everton defence. Linked up nicely with Saka and Madueke at times and it was notable how Arteta left him on for the whole game when we were looking for a winner. Feels like an important moment for Eze.
Bukayo Saka – 7
More like it. Didn’t beat his man as much as I would like and I only remember him getting to the byline once, but he was lively. Dovetailed nicely with Eze at times and took up some great positions as he attempted to push Arsenal over the line. Moved centrally late on with the introduction of Dowman and again looked comfortable there. If the aforementioned Dowman continues in this form, he might have to move infield just to get a game!
Kai Havertz – 7
Nice to have him back. We just look better with him in the side. Dropped deep to link the play and did what Gyokeres fails to do so many times and won free kicks when we were under pressure. In this sort of game, he’s just a much better option than Gyokeres. That said, there was one occasion where the ball flashed across the six yard box and he was somewhere outside the box and I remembered all of the German’s detractors from last season, with the lack of presence in the box. His all round play makes him perfect for this team though, so I don’t necessarily buy into that theory.
Noni Madueke – 7
Lively, without every really threatening. Had a decent effort beaten away by Pickford, but he never looked truly comfortable on the left as he came inside nearly every time.
Subs:
Cristhian Mosquera – 7 – Came on for Jurrien Timber in the first half and didn’t let anyone down. Strong defensively but does look a bit awkward in attack. Presumably Ben White still isn’t fit, as surely he would have been the natural replacement for Timber.
Viktor Gyokeres – 8 – Held the ball up nicely on occasion, but in truth he wasn’t massively involved after his introduction…until he was very involved!!! Right place, right time to tap home the opening goal in the 89th minute. Big moment for the Swede. Big moment for Arsenal!!
Gabriel Martinelli – 7 – Put in a few decent crosses, but not really influential until his assist for Dowman in the 96th minute.
Piero Hincapie – 8 – Brilliant cameo from the Ecuadorian. Was in the right place at the right time to assist Gyokeres for the all important opening and was equally impressive at the back. That tackle in stoppage time summed him up. Fast becoming a fans favourite.
Max Dowman – 9 – Oh my days what a player. Lifted the whole stadium when he came on. Always positive, driving forward with every opportunity kept it well under pressure and just generally plays like a player that is about 10 years older than he actually is! Brilliant cross for the opener and his skill, pace and composure for his record breaking goal was a privilege to watch. How far this boy can go, is anyone’s guess. Let’s try and get him a Premier League Winner’s medal and go from there!! I’m certain he still has a part to play in both the League and the cup competitions this season.
Final note – I watched the second half of this game with my 10 year old Son, who is usually too nervous to watch, so aside from the enormously swell of relief and happiness I feel after getting over the line and picking up the three points in this one, I feel equally fortunate to have shared those last few moments with my Son, in what felt like a truly memorable match in Arsenal’s recent history. Let’s hope there’s more great memories to make in the coming weeks and months!