Arsenal 2-1 Everton: Arsenal Player Ratings as a late winner from Havertz wins the game for the Gunners | Premier League 2023-24
Arsenal beat Everton 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, May 19, in the final matchday of the English Premier League.
Arsenal started the game with a sense of urgency but Everton eased into the game and took much more control as time progressed. The visitors were rewarded for their resilience as they opened the scoring from a set piece following a foul on Dwight McNeil just outside the box. Idrissa Gana Gueye's attempt deflected off Declan Rice to fall into the back of the net.
Arsenal soon equalized through Takehiro Tomiyasu just at the brink of halftime with some following some great work. The Gunners tried to build on the momentum following the restart but the visitors held them off. But they could not keep Arsenal away till the end as Kai Havertz scored one in the 89th minute to win it for his side.
But that could not cut it for Mikel Arteta's men as Manchester City won their fixture against West Ham to clinch the title.
On that note, let's take a look at Arsenal's player ratings:
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya - 7/10
David Raya could nothing but watch go into the net for Everton's opening goal of the game as it took a heavy deflection. Apart from that, he was tidy at the back with his distribution. He also made a couple of decent saves to allow Arsenal to stay in the game.
Ben White - 6/10
Ben White was astute defensively but hardly provided anything going forward. The 26-year-old had a disappointing performance upfront as he failed to link up with the forwards to produce something good.
William Saliba - 7.5/10
William Saliba put in a solid performance for the Gunners at the back. The 23-year-old won six duels, made four recoveries, won one tackle, and completed one dribble. Apart from that, the Frenchman completed the most number of passes throughout the game (88) with an accuracy of 96 percent.
Gabriel - 6/10
Gabriel had a decent outing against Everton and partnered up well with Saliba at the back. But the Brazilian was forced off with an injury in the 59th minute of the game.
Takehiro Tomiyasu - 8/10
Takehiro Tomiyasu proved to be an unexpected source of scoring but put one into the back of the net when Arsenal needed it the most. The Japanese won five duels, made four recoveries, intercepted the ball twice, and made three clearances.
Tomiyasu was reliable defensively as well as offensively. He did miss a big chance but made up for it with a great finish at the cusp of half-time to pull Arsenal level.
Thomas Partey - 5/10
Thomas Partey had a game to forget. He was completely ineffective in the center of the park. The 30-year-old was lousy and received a yellow card for a cynical foul on Dwight McNeil just outside the box, which led to the free-kick resulting in the only goal Everton scored. He was taken off in the 69th minute of the game in favor of Emile Smith Rowe and rightfully so.
Declan Rice - 6/10
Declan Rice did not have the best of games as well. He was unlucky to have deflected the ball off Everton's set-piece in the back of the net. Rice looked a little sluggish and did not seem to have much impact in the center. He lost the most duels throughout the game (8).
Martin Odegaard - 8/10
Martin Odegaard led the charge for the Gunners and did so in a fantastic way. He played the captain's role as he set up both the goals for his side. The Norwegian created seven chances throughout the game, won two duels, made four recoveries, and intercepted the ball once. Although, he should have had one to himself too.
Gabriel Martinell9 - 6.5/10
Gabriel Martinelli had some moments and almost scored the opening goal but was denied brilliantly by Jordan Pickford. He tried to produce something down the flanks with his runs, but ultimately, it came down to nothing.
Kai Havertz - 8/10
Kai Havertz scored the winning goal and also hit the woodwork once. He was persistent upfront against the duo of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite and finally got his reward following a difficult evening all round.
Leandro Trossard - 5/10
Leandro Trossard was completely lost against Everton. He was not threatening at all and provided nothing upfront. Trossard was taken off in the 78th minute of the game in favor of Gabriel Jesus.
Substitutes
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 5.5/10
Came on for Gabriel but had nothing much to do.
Jurrien Timber- 5.5/10
Came on in the 69th minute of the game and received a booking for a foul on McNeil as he prevented a breakout.
Emile Smith Rowe - 6.5/10
A significant upgrade over Thomas Partey in the center of the park.
Gabriel Jesus - NA
Did not have much impact on the game.