Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after the Gunners comfortably beat Everton tonight at the Emirates.
The Gunners took the lead five minutes before half-time courtesy of the brilliant Bukayo Saka, the young England international rifling a right-footed effort past Jordan Pickford and into the roof of the net.
On the stroke of half-time, Gabriel Martinelli put his side two up and effectively killed the game when he finished confidently past Pickford after a mistake from Idrissa Gueye.
In the 70th minute, the Gunners influential captain Martin Odegaard got his name on the scoresheet by bundling home a Leandro Trossard cut back from the edge of the six-yard area.
With 10 minutes left to play the recently resurgent Martinelli completed the rout when he bagged his second of the night from close-range after good work down the left by Eddie Nketiah.
Speaking afterwards Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was delighted with his sides display.
“I am delighted with the win and the way we played after the first 25 minutes. We had some difficulties at the start. They are difficult to play against,” Arteta told BBC Sport.
“Once we scored the first goal, the game unlocked. We needed a magic moment and Bukayo produced that. After that we grew and deserved to win the game.
Bukayo Saka has 10 goals and 9 assists this season 🏴
Gabriel Martinelli has 11 goals and 3 assists too 🇧🇷
Both 21-year-old, both Arsenal future as Gabriel has already signed a new long term deal… and Saka will do the same very soon ⚪️🔴 #AFC pic.twitter.com/kWFJ6L220G
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 1, 2023
“With the way they play, direct, second balls, a small lead isn’t enough.
“We played really well in the second half and could have scored more.
“I am delighted when I see the team play the way we want to.
“This league is a different story [no easy games]. We had big proof of that at Goodison. They made it difficult for Liverpool to.
“I’m really happy with the maturity and quality we showed.”
