Arsenal recorded back to back victories for the first time under Mikel Arteta after they defeated Everton 3-2 at the weekend in a thrilling encounter at The Emirates. The scoreline exchanged more blows back and forth than the Tyson Fury versus Deontay Wilder fight, but eventually, it was the Gunners’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who provided the decisive blow. The Gabonese striker was lauded by his manager, Mikel Arteta, who described him as “Our most important player.”
Arteta was not wrong, given time and space to cut inside from his wide left position Aubameyang was a menace to the Toffees’ defence all afternoon. As per WhoScored, no Arsenal player had more shots on target than the 30-year-old’s two from three efforts, both of which found the back of the net. Not only did Aubameyang kick his side back into life with the equalising goal, but the winger finished the job to compound the visitors to their first defeat in six matches.
At times Aubameyang, valued at £63m (Transfermarkt), was slightly marooned out wide, and it caused the winger to make just 28 passes with a 75 per cent accuracy, as per WhoScored, though that was more than opposite number Nicolas Pepe’s 26. The Gabonese international was often attempting high risk passes to bring others into the game, along with two crosses neither of which met teammates, which may explain his lack of serious involvement in build-up play.
Though when it came to defensive duties, Aubameyang led from the front and consistently harried Everton’s backline. As per WhoScored, no Arsenal player produced more tackles than the wingers three, and he also contributed one interception and a clearance to assist Bukayo Saka, who played much of the afternoon behind him after Sead Kolasinac’s early injury. Aubameyang made sure the teenager was not regularly left without cover and that Carlo Ancelotti’s side could not exploit gaps down Arsenal’s right-hand channel.
Overall, Aubameyang proved to be the difference between the two sides on Sunday evening and moved the Gunners above their opponents onto 37 points. It is challenging to comprehend where the north London side would be without their top scorer on 17 Premier League goals, and he has left them as outsiders for the Europa League places in ninth.
