Arsenal beat Everton 2-1 at the Emirates and finished with 89 points in the Premier League. Unfortunately, this was not enough to win the Premier League title, as Manchester City won the title with 91 points. However, while Arsenal finished second again, they significantly improved this season and took the title race to the final matchday. Without further ado, let’s dive deeper into this final Arsenal win of the 2023-24 Premier League season.
Arsenal 2024 Season Part 46: The Defense Didn’t Keep a Clean Sheet But Held Everton to Two Shots on Goal
The Gunners did not keep a clean sheet in this game. Arsenal fell behind 1-0 in the first half after Idrissa Gueye scored for Everton. David Raya played well and made four saves, including one excellent save in the second half. Everton’s goal wasn’t Raya’s fault. The Golden Glove winner showed his class once again.
The backline of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Ben White performed pretty well overall despite not keeping a clean sheet. They held Everton to only two shots on target in the entire match. Tomiyasu also scored Arsenal’s equalizer to make it 1-1 at halftime.
Gabriel Magalhaes suffered an injury and had to be substituted in the second half. Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced him and played well in the time he was given. Jurrien Timber finally returned to Premier League action, replacing Ben White in the second half. Timber did pick up a yellow card, but it is good to see him on the pitch again regardless.
Arsenal Took Advantage of Everton Sitting Back and Dominated Possession
Arsenal enjoyed 69.1% possession in this game. Everton was clearly content with sitting back and trying to hit Arsenal on the counterattack. Thomas Partey played pretty well in this game. Declan Rice also had another excellent game and contributed to Arsenal’s attack on several occasions thanks to the freedom Partey’s presence gave him. Rice got a shot on target but did not score.
However, Martin Odegaard deserves praise for his performance, as well. Odegaard started off a bit slow but played better as the match wore on. He provided the assists for Tomiyasu’s first-half equalizer and Kai Havertz’s match-winning goal in the second half. Martin Odegaard finishes the season with 17 goal contributions in the Premier League.
Emile Smith-Rowe came off the bench and replaced Thomas Partey in the second half. Smith-Rowe was lively and got a shot toward the Everton goal, but it was blocked. His future at Arsenal is uncertain, but his desire to remain at the club is clear. We will see what happens with him.
Arsenal’s Attack Did Enough, But Should Have Been More Clinical
Arsenal had 26 shots in total, but only got five shots on target against Everton. Thankfully, Kai Havertz scored late to give the Gunners all three points. However, the Gunners’ attack clearly felt the absence of Bukayo Saka. Gabriel Martinelli started in Saka’s place on the right wing but had a disappointing performance. Martinelli did have a shot on target but failed to replicate Saka’s influence on Arsenal’s attack.
Leandro Trossard on the left was a bit better. Trossard scored the winner against Everton at Goodison Park earlier this season but didn’t repeat his heroics this time. He did get a shot on target and assisted Martin Odegaard’s shot on target in the second half.
Kai Havertz was the standout player from Arsenal’s attack in this match against Everton. Havertz scored the match-winning goal against Everton in the 89th minute. Havertz’s turnaround at Arsenal has been fantastic. This mid-season turnaround has also helped the club sell even more jerseys.
He is developing a knack for scoring crucial goals for the Gunners. Havertz finishes the 2023-24 Premier League season with 19 goal contributions.
Gabriel Jesus replaced Trossard in the second half and brought some energy to Arsenal’s attack. Jesus’s future at the club is also uncertain, with Arsenal looking to sign a striker in the upcoming summer transfer window. Jesus had nine goal contributions in the Premier League this season. However, injuries plagued him once again.
Arsenal 2024 Season Part 46: 8/10 Manager Rating for Arteta
Mikel Arteta receives an 8/10 manager rating for the 2-1 home win against Everton to end the season. Arsenal failed to keep a clean sheet and could have been more clinical in front of the Everton goal. However, the Gunners did dominate possession and starting Kai Havertz proved to be the right move. Arteta’s substitutions also gave Arsenal a bit of a boost in the second half.
Arsenal Will Look to Strengthen in the Summer Transfer Window
The Gunners finish the 2023-24 Premier League season with 89 points and 28 wins. This would have been enough to win the Premier League title in many seasons. In any case, Arsenal will seek to strengthen in the summer transfer window by making shrewd signings and off-loading players that don’t fit the club’s needs or are simply not good enough anymore.
Check back next week for coverage about Arsenal’s activity in the 2024 summer transfer window.