Arsenal back in top 4 of Premier League

Leandro Trossard's only goal helped Arsenal win 1-0 at Everton in round 5 of the Premier League on September 17, thereby returning to fourth place.

Playing away against bottom-placed Everton, Arsenal had 75% possession. The visitors struggled against Everton's packed defence, before substitute Trossard scored the only goal in the 69th minute.

Trossard celebrates a goal at Goodison Park on September 17. Photo: AP

Trossard's goal saved Arsenal from an unfortunate day. The Gunners should have opened the scoring in the 19th minute, when Gabriel Martinelli curled a shot into the far corner past Jordan Pickford. But the goal was ruled out for an offside by striker Eddie Nketiah. Less than five minutes later, Martinelli was injured and had to be replaced by Trossard.

Everton had to wait until the fourth round to earn their first point. The home team made no secret of their intention to take another point against last season's runners-up. Playing defensively, Everton barely created any problems for David Raya - Arsenal's new goalkeeper. Throughout the match, Sean Dyche's team's most notable moments were long-range shots.

Last season, Arsenal lost at Everton when Mikel Arteta's players were in good form. In the rematch at Goodison Park, the visitors struggled once again as the midfield trio of Fabio Vieira, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard could not overcome Everton's Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

It was Trossard's tricky finish from Bukayo Saka's pass in the box that gave Arsenal the edge to claim all three points. For the first time since December 2021, substitutes have scored in three consecutive games for the Gunners. Nketiah had earlier netted against Fulham and Gabriel Jesus sealed victory against Man Utd.

Everton's first away win since 2017 saw Arsenal return to the top four with 13 points, behind Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool - who all came from behind to win this round. Everton, who have failed to score for the fourth time in five games, are 18th with just one point.

Arsenal host PSV in their Champions League opener in midweek, then stay at the Emirates for the London derby against Tottenham. Everton travel to Brentford in the next round.

Line-up

Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Young, Gueye, Onana, McNeil, Doucoure (Garner 80), Danjuma, Beto (Calvert-Lewin 66)

Arsenal : Raya, Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Tomiyasu 80), Odegaard, Rice, Vieira (Havertz 80), Saka, Martinelli (Trossard 24), Nketiah (Jesus 66)

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