Arsenal Player Ratings vs Everton: Odegaard and Martinelli Struggle, Lewis-Skelly Shines
Arsenal faced a tough outing against Everton, falling short of their usual high standards in a match that tested their resolve. Despite flashes of brilliance, Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to find rhythm, with key players underperforming and young talents stepping up to make their mark.
Here’s a closer look at how Arsenal’s players fared, with ratings highlighting individual performances during the encounter.
Goalkeeper and Defense
Aaron Ramsdale – 6/10
Ramsdale had a solid game between the posts, making a few decent saves to keep Arsenal in contention. However, his distribution was not as sharp as usual, and he could do little to prevent Everton’s decisive moments.
Ben White – 5/10
White had a subdued outing, failing to offer his usual attacking support down the right flank. Defensively, he was caught out of position on a few occasions, leaving spaces for Everton to exploit.
William Saliba – 6/10
Saliba was reliable in defense, showing composure under pressure and making key interceptions. However, he struggled to build from the back as Everton’s press disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm.
Gabriel Magalhães – 6/10
Gabriel was strong in aerial duels and effective in tackling but lacked coordination with Saliba at times. His distribution under pressure left room for improvement.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5/10
Zinchenko had a tough game defensively, with Everton targeting his side repeatedly. Offensively, his overlapping runs and passing were not as impactful as they usually are.
Midfield
Declan Rice – 7/10
Rice was a standout performer in an otherwise disjointed Arsenal midfield. He broke up Everton’s attacks effectively and distributed the ball well, but he couldn’t cover for the lackluster performances of his teammates.
Martin Odegaard – 4/10
Arsenal’s captain had a rare off day. Odegaard struggled to influence the game, with misplaced passes and poor decision-making in key moments. His usually impeccable vision and creativity were missing against Everton’s well-organized defense.
Emile Smith Rowe – 6/10
Smith Rowe worked hard and showed glimpses of his attacking potential but lacked consistency in his passing and positioning. He had a few promising runs but failed to convert them into tangible chances.
Attack
Gabriel Martinelli – 4/10
Martinelli was far from his best, struggling to break through Everton’s defense. His touches were heavy, and his final delivery lacked precision. Substituted early due to a hamstring concern, it was a forgettable outing for the Brazilian winger.
Bukayo Saka – 6/10
Saka was Arsenal’s most consistent threat going forward, but he often found himself isolated. His attempts to cut inside and create chances were thwarted by a disciplined Everton backline.
Eddie Nketiah – 5/10
Nketiah had a quiet game, failing to impose himself on Everton’s defense. While his pressing was commendable, he rarely found himself in dangerous positions to threaten the goal.
Substitutes
Amario Lewis-Skelly – 7/10
Lewis-Skelly was a bright spark for Arsenal, bringing energy and composure after coming on. The young talent made an immediate impact, driving forward with intent and offering creativity in the final third. His performance was one of the few positives for Arsenal on a frustrating day.
Leandro Trossard – 6/10
Trossard added some dynamism after replacing Martinelli, creating a few half-chances with his clever movement. However, he lacked the cutting edge to change the outcome of the game.
Kai Havertz – 5/10
Havertz struggled to influence the game after coming on, failing to link up effectively with his teammates. His presence in midfield did little to turn the tide in Arsenal’s favor.
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 5/10
Arteta’s tactical approach didn’t quite pay off against a resolute Everton side. While his decision to introduce Lewis-Skelly was a positive move, the overall lack of creativity and cohesion from Arsenal was concerning. Arteta will need to address these issues quickly as the season progresses.
Conclusion
It was a frustrating afternoon for Arsenal, with their usually reliable stars failing to deliver and a resilient Everton side capitalizing on their shortcomings. While Odegaard and Martinelli had games to forget, the emergence of Lewis-Skelly as a bright talent offered a silver lining.
Arsenal will need to regroup and learn from this performance as they aim to maintain their push for success in the Premier League. With key players underperforming, it’s crucial for the squad to find their rhythm and consistency in upcoming fixtures.
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