Three classic Everton v Arsenal clashes

Arsenal v Everton

By Oli Dickson Jefford

Arsenal will hope to rebound from two defeats in their last three matches when they head to Goodison Park to take on Everton tonight.

The Toffees won both meetings between the two last season but with Rafa Benitez’s men on a poor run of form, Mikel Arteta will certainly be targeting three points.

Ahead of what is an important match for Arsenal’s European hopes and Everton’s hopes of kick-starting their floundering campaign, we take a look at three memorable matches between the two.


August 2009: Everton 1-6 Arsenal

We start with an opening day demolition job by the Gunners in which they terrorised the Toffees for the full 90 minutes.

After a quiet start, it was an unlikely goalscorer who opened proceedings with Denilson hitting the back of the net from 25-yards out with a stunning curling effort.

And there were two more surprise names on the scoresheet before half time with headers from Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas giving Arsenal a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time.

Things got from bad to worse in the second half for Everton with Cesc Fabregas hitting a brace and Eduardo adding a sixth in the 88th minute.


Louis Saha struck in the 92nd minute for the most belated of consolations, though it didn’t take any gloss away from a sublime Arsenal display. 


Arteta


October 2017: Everton 2-5 Arsenal 


A beleaguered Everton were put to the sword by the Gunners four years ago in a match that saw the Toffees fall into the relegation zone.

 

Ronald Koeman was already under pressure heading in, though Wayne Rooney’s opener in the 12th minute gave the home side hope early on.

 

However, Nacho Monreal was able to pull one back shortly before half-time, and Arsenal proceeded to dominate the second half.

 

Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette both scored to make proceedings comfortable for the Gunners, with Aaron Ramsey’s 90th minute strike putting the game out of sight at 4-1.

 

Oumar Niasse did pull one back for Everton in the closing stages, but Alexis Sanchez added a fifth in the 95th minute to seal a fine win for Arsene Wenger’s men.


 

February 2020: Arsenal 3-2 Everton 


One of the most memorable matches between the two sides in recent years came shortly before the suspension of the 2019-20 season with a classic at the Emirates.

 

Things could not have started any worse for the home side, with a superb overhead kick from Dominic Calvert-Lewin putting Everton 1-0 up in just 49 seconds.

 

Arsenal responded resolutely, and Eddie Nketiah equalised in the 27th minute before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - at the height of his form at the club - put the Gunners ahead just six minutes later.

 

However, it was not all smooth sailing for the Gunners afterwards and Richarlison equalised in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the first half.

 

Yet, immediately after the resumption, Aubameyang struck again to restore Arsenal’s lead and the side ultimately held on for three points.

 

Fans will be hoping for a similar result, with maybe less drama, in tonight’s trip to Merseyside.


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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