Five of the best clashes between Arsenal and Everton

Mikel Arteta

Five of the best clashes between Arsenal and Everton

By Peter White

Following last weekend’s last-ditch draw at home to Fulham, Arsenal return to Premier League action against Everton in an eighth-versus-ninth clash under the Friday night lights. 

European qualification through domestic endeavours remains within reach for both sides ahead of the Emirates encounter, with Arsenal sitting seven points behind sixth-placed Spurs with a game in hand, and the Toffees three points closer. 

While the Gunners are somewhat focused on their ongoing European adventure - with next Thursday’s Europa League semi-final tie against Villarreal their priority - a win in their 200th top-flight meeting with Everton would provide some valuable momentum. 

On paper the omens look good for the hosts, with Arsenal having gone unbeaten in their last 24 Premier League home games against the nine-time English champions, while they have never lost in nine previous Premier League games played on Fridays. 

Revenge will be firmly in the minds of Mikel Arteta’s charges as well following December’s 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park, an eighth defeat of the season that left Arsenal 15th in the table going into Christmas. 

The teams’ impending showdown promises plenty of thrills and spills with lots at stake, and as anticipation builds we’ve been reflecting on some of the best meetings between two of English football’s most famous clubs. 

Amidst 216 meetings in all competitions - of which Arsenal have come out on top on 108 occasions - five-time FA Cup winners Everton have proved formidable opponents on several occasions. 

May 3, 1998 - Arsenal 4-0 Everton, Premier League

We begin with arguably one of the most significant matches in Arsenal’s entire history, with this emphatic win at Highbury proving enough to seal the club’s first title of the Premier League era - and manager Arsene Wenger’s first in charge. 

The Gunners went into the match requiring a single win from their final three games of the season, and they were given a head start when former West Ham and West Brom manager Slaven Bilic turned into his own net after just six minutes. 

Silky winger Marc Overmars netted either side of half-time to put the result beyond doubt, before stalwart skipper Tony Adams stepped up with an unforgettable finish at the death to cue the celebrations.

Arsenal Everton

May 11, 2002 - Arsenal 4-3 Everton, Premier League

Four years later Wenger and Arsenal got their hands on the Premier League trophy once again, but the Gunners had already sealed league and FA Cup glory by the time Everton came to town on the final day of the season. 

A seven-goal exhibition delivered the latest treat to the Highbury faithful, with Thierry Henry scoring twice to wrap up the golden boot and Dennis Bergkamp and Francis Jeffers also netting. 

Such an occasion also saw emotional send-offs given to defender Lee Dixon and goalkeeping coach Bob Wilson, who signed off from their long-serving Arsenal careers with a win. 

May 11, 2005 - Arsenal 7-0 Everton, Premier League

While unable to quite hit the heights of their invincible season the year before, Arsenal did enjoy plenty of positive moments throughout the 2004/05 campaign. 

A 7-0 thrashing of Everton in their penultimate league clash of the season was certainly one of them, with Robin van Persie, Robert Pires (2), Patrick Vieira, Edu, Dennis Bergkamp and Mathieu Flamini all finding the target. 

Such a strong performance helped Arsenal earn second place in the table behind Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, while they would go on to seal FA Cup glory on penalties against Manchester United later in May. 

March 8, 2014 - Arsenal 4-1 Everton, FA Cup quarter-finals

Arsenal’s eventual FA Cup triumph in 2014 ended a nine-year wait for a trophy, and their impressive win over the Toffees in the last eight was an important part of that journey. 

Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal an early lead at the Emirates before Romelu Lukaku soon equalised, but a penalty from current boss Arteta in the 68th minute put the hosts on course for the win. 

Two late strikes from substitute Olivier Giroud sealed Arsenal’s progression, and they would go on to beat Wigan in the semi-finals before trumping Hull 3-2 after extra-time in the Wembley showpiece. 

February 3, 2018 - Arsenal 5-1 Everton, Premier League

A thumping win that offered a sign of things to come, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a debut goal in this engaging encounter a little over three years ago. 

The current skipper - then a club-record £56m signing from Borussia Dortmund - got off the mark in Arsenal red with a deft chip after latching onto Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s pass, to inspire a 4-0 half-time lead. 

Aaron Ramsey also struck a mesmerising hat-trick, while Laurent Koscielny etched his name onto the scoresheet with a header before the break.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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