Everton defeated by Arsenal 4-0; the Premier League title battle is still exciting

The Premier League winners and title rivals Manchester City defeated Arsenal at home, knocking them off the top of the table, and it had all the makings of a turning point in their season.

If so, Arsenal’s response since then has been genuinely spectacular, and their thrilling 4-0 thumping of hapless Everton at Emirates Stadium provided electrifying proof that they are in this title battle for the long haul.

With 13 games left, Arsenal and Manchester City are both five points ahead of the competition after their third straight victory since City’s 3-1 defeat.

All season long, Mikel Arteta’s team had been proving themselves, answering questions about their character with new resolve and steel, but the loss to City at Emirates Stadium on February 15 felt different.

Pep Guardiola’s team improved their game to defeat the Gunners and deal what seemed like a heavy psychological blow. Arsenal had been pushing hard to take the top spot while City had been performing below par.

How may Arsenal react? What would Arteta say? In the face of such a crushing letdown, would the Gunners fall apart or be able to recover? So, would they maintain their composure?

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Many spectators, including me, questioned whether today would be the day Arsenal would buckle under City’s pressure after their repeated victories over this course and distance.

After three potentially challenging tests against Everton at home, Aston Villa on the road, and Leicester City, the answers have been given forcefully.

Arsenal simply wouldn’t accept one point from Villa, securing three in extra time to secure a 4-2 victory. With a 1-0 triumph, the Foxes were defeated with the efficiency of earlier Arsenal teams. Everton was destroyed 4-0 with the fluidity that has distinguished their outstanding season.

3 video games. 3 victories. Restoration of Arsenal’s dominance at the Premier League summit.

The Arsenal team celebrates its Everton victory.
As of their 25 Premier League games, Arsenal has 60 points. After being defeated by Manchester City, Arsenal was scrutinized for any indications of weakness. Last season, when they finished fifth, they managed 69 points from 38 games. None has come to light. The Arsenal have displayed the resilience and mental toughness that champions are built of, losing to the Everton team that was so easily defeated on Wednesday.

There will be twists and turns, so they might not finish first, but there is no doubt that Arteta is leading this exciting Arsenal team in the right path.

Sean Dyche’s team presented stubborn opposition for the opening 40 minutes, and they benefited from Everton’s pitiful performance whenever they find themselves in a dangerous situation. Arsenal had to play a patient game against Sean Dyche’s team.

Just before halftime, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Bukayo Saka unlocked the door, setting off the major event. Arsenal then smashed through it.

After Everton’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on October 22, they have not scored more than one goal in 15 games. Saka found Idrissa Gueye napping to set up Gabriel Martinelli for the second just before halftime.

Bukayo Saka celebrates his goal at Emirates Stadium against Everton for Arsenal.
In 122 Premier League games, Bukayo Saka has scored 27 goals and contributed 24 assists.
While Arsenal missed additional opportunities to make this a genuinely embarrassing night for Everton, who could have lost by even more, Martin Odegaard and Martinelli added the flourishes in the second half.

The addition of Thomas Partey in the second half, who made a difference in the middle of the field, and the substitutions of Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Fabio Vieira highlighted the depth of Arteta’s squad.

Gabriel Jesus’s return to the field this week following knee surgery only adds to the positive energy permeating the team.

It was understood why Arteta was so happy when the game was over. Recently, his team has found Everton and Dyche playing for Burnley to be challenging opponents. Once they were in the lead, they were brutal here.

After the defeat to Manchester City, the Gunners might have felt sorry for themselves. Instead, they have responded in a way that suggests they won’t go away.

Arsenal is once again in control of the Premier League title race thanks to big games and huge results.