Sean Dyche paid tribute to Arsenal’s work rate and speed of thinking after Everton’s 4-0 defeat at the Gunners on Wednesday night. Toffee website.
Andy Townsend warned in his comments that Everton’s well-organized and defensive side need only a moment of inattention and Arsenal will punish them. Seconds later, his words were prophetic, to say the least.
After 40 minutes at a distance from the Premier League leaders, Bukayo Saka slipped into a space. He beautifully controlled a probing Oleksandr Zinchenko pass and slammed a searing strike towards the near post. Velvet and Venom, rolled into one.
This is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in a nutshell. Just when you think you’ve got them all locked up, they find the key. Shortly after Saka’s magnificent opener, Idrissa Garner-Guye was caught as Gabriel Martinelli scored his first brace at the Emirates Stadium.exactly the kind of mistake you made No Need to be in the relegation battle.
Arsenal thrash Everton 4-0 at Emirates Stadium
“It’s tough in this place. It’s very, very tough to be 2-0 down in this place,” Dyche lamented full-time; Arsenal extended their lead over Manchester City to five points.
“You’re on that line. You want to open up, but you know this group has the ability (to punish you). You know, it’s not just because of their ball ability. They work really hard, they’re a team in transition. A team that works fast. They see the picture quickly.
“It’s a lot of confidence. It’s a team that has built up over time and they’ve had some really tough times. (We’ve been) beaten by top teams.”
After a sluggish first half, Arsenal turned on style in the second half. That domineering, flamboyant performance is the hallmark of a champion. Martin Odegaard converted a stylish Leandro Trossard assist in the 71st minute. After some solid performances from substitute Eddie Nketiah and the influential Zinchenko, Martinelli was quick on goal in his second night.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of Arsenal’s performance, however, was not the quality of their shots but their grit and pressing. After the break, Everton barely kicked at times. Overwhelmed by a team whose confidence is soaring.
Dyche’s Everton, meanwhile, started off well but have now lost two games in a row.
In other news, Alan Shearer overwhelmed by Tottenham’s flawless performance against Chelsea
