Quickfire second-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium in Sunday's Premier League clash.
The Gunners had been second best on home soil up until two goals just before the hour mark gave them complete control of the match.
Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring with a curled finish into the top corner, three minutes before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finished off a good team move to add three more points to the home side's tally.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
3.00pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners head into this match with some wind in their sails thanks to four victories on the spin, three of those coming in the top flight, while the Toffees have won just one league game all season and find themselves in the bottom half of the division.
3.02pmAmid talk of players being unhappy with his training-ground drills, this is a big afternoon for visiting boss Marco Silva. Opposite number Unai Emery, meanwhile, has managed to settle into his new job and now has his side playing exactly the way he wants. Changes are expected following the midweek win over Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League, so with that in mind let us check out some confirmed team news...
3.04pmARSENAL TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Torreira, Xhaka; Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette
SUBS: Leno, Holding, Lichtsteiner, Guendouzi, Elneny, Iwobi, Welbeck
3.06pmStarting with a look at the home side, Emery has indeed made mass changes - seven in total from the Europa League win over Vorskla here. The big news is that Lucas Torreira has overcome a knock picked up in that last outing to make his first league start for the club in defensive midfield, partnered alongside Granit Xhaka. French youngster Matteo Guendouzi drops down to the bench.
3.08pmThat is the only change from Arsenal's win at Newcastle United last weekend. It has been a gruelling week for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nacho Monreal and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, as they are the only three players to have started all three of the Gunners' matches this week. Fresh on the back of his European brace, Aubameyang moves into a wide position to accommodate the returning Alexandre Lacazette.
3.10pmArsenal have also been boosted by the return to full fitness of Aaron Ramsey, who asked to be taken off in the win at Newcastle eight days ago. The Wales international has scored six goals in his last four outings against Everton, including a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture earlier this year, and it looks as though he will get the nod through the middle this afternoon. Mesut Ozil will start out on the right if that is the case.
3.12pmEVERTON TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Pickford; Kenny, Zouma, Keane, Digne; Gueye, Davies; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
SUBS: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Baines, Bernard, Schneiderlin, Lookman, Tosun
3.14pmEverton have had a week to prepare for this game, giving manager Silva plenty of thinking time. The Portuguese has opted to make three changes from the surprise 3-1 home loss to West Ham United, bringing in Michael Keane, Tom Davies and Richarlison. The return of the latter was always likely today, as Richarlison - with three goals in three games - has completed a three-match domestic ban for his silly red card at Bournemouth.
3.16pmKeane's return is a little ahead of schedule, with the England international only returning to training this week after suffering a hairline fracture of the skull last month. Silva has a lack of other options in the heart of defence, though, so Keane will come into the side to partner Kurt Zouma, meaning only a place on the bench for Mason Holgate after starting the Toffees' last three games.
3.18pmDavies takes over from Morgan Schneiderlin in defensive midfield, meanwhile, and the youngster will wear the captain's armband at the Emirates Stadium. With Cenk Tosun dropping out of the starting lineup, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will start through the middle in what is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 formation. It is down to Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Theo Walcott to supply the ammunition; the latter returning to a ground that he has scored 56 goals at.
3.20pmUnai Emery makes seven changes from his side's midweek Europa League match, and one alteration from the 2-1 win at Newcastle United eight days ago - Lucas Torreira taking over from Matteo Guendouzi for his first Premier League start. Everton show three changes, meanwhile, with Tom Davies, Richarlison and Michael Keane being brought back into the fold.
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3.22pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS! Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 24 home meeting with Everton in all competitions, winning all but four of those since a 2-1 loss at Highbury in January 1996. The Toffees have won two of the last 22 Premier League encounters, meanwhile, and they were thrashed 5-1 here in the most recent fixture in February - Aaron Ramsey helping himself to a hat-trick.
3.24pmThe Gunners have a pretty formidable record in this fixture down the years, then, and they are very much strong favourites to pick up the three points today. Emery's men started the day occupying ninth place in the Premier League table, but they can move as high as fifth today - above arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur - should they win by a comfortable margin. That would be quite some recovery following what was a poor start for Emery.
3.26pmArsenal were outclassed by champions Manchester City on the opening day and then suffered a 3-2 loss at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners recovered from two goals down against London rivals Chelsea, but their performance - bar a 10-minute spell at the end of the first half - was pretty poor and it was hard to take too many positives away from the match. Since then, though, they have won three on the spin in the Premier League.
3.28pmThe 3-1 win against West Ham United was a little flattering, as the Hammers - themselves pointless at the time - had chances to earn at least a point. Winning by any means necessary in that most recent home match was the priority for Emery, however, and the Spaniard has since seen his side win away at Cardiff City and Newcastle United. Both wins were by one-goal margins, and a late strike was needed to see off Cardiff, but nine points from nine cannot be argued with.
3.30pmThe Gunners look mentally tougher away from home if those last two outings are anything to go by as, although Cardiff and Newcastle are at the bottom end of the division, those were exactly the type of fixtures Arsenal struggled to take three points from in Arsene Wenger's final season at the helm. Finally, the Londoners look as though they can go to bottom-half sides and get the job done.
3.32pmArsenal finished sixth in Wenger's final season in charge - their lowest position under the Frenchman's watch - and ended 37 points adrift of top spot. Winning the title was never in the question this season; simply finishing in the top four is a big enough challenge in its own right, and Emery this week proved that adding some silverware to the collection is a big priority of his. Combine the two, and the Spaniard will have won other any remaining doubters.
3.34pmWith no other elite sides to face in their next five league fixtures, Arsenal have a real chance to continue building momentum heading into the penultimate month of the year. The target for Emery this side of Christmas is to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League - a competition he came to love during his stint at Sevilla - while also remaining alive in the EFL Cup, which they kick off with a home match against Brentford in midweek.
3.36pmThis run of four home matches in 10 days is unprecedented in Arsenal's entire history, but it started well with their win over Vorskla on Thursday night. Aubameyang scored twice to boost his confidence, while Mesut Ozil came off the bench to score and Danny Welbeck also registered. It looked like being pretty much the perfect night for the Gunners, having recovered from a slow start to the match, but the visitors pulled back two late goals to take some blemish off the scoreline.
3.38pmThose two late goals conceded by debutant Bernd Leno makes it no clean sheet in six matches for the Gunners this term, while up the other end they have scored 14 times across those fixtures. Supporters will certainly get their money's worth this season if the last month is anything to go by, but manager Emery did admit on Thursday night that he was not entirely convinced by his side's display as they switched off in the final 10 minutes.
3.40pmThis is the first time since 1988-89 that Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their first five league games, although they did go on to win the title that season in dramatic circumstances - not the worst omen! The Gunners have won five of their last six matches at the Emirates Stadium and ended last season with the joint-second best home record behind only champions Manchester City, losing twice in total.
3.42pmAll 10 of Arsenal's league goals this season have come via different players, including an own goal from west Ham United defender Issa Diop. Aubameyang does have three to his name in all competitions, however, thanks to his double on Thursday night, and he is still the attacking focal point of this side even in this new deeper position. Now the home side just need to learn how to keep out the opposition!
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3.44pmEverton head into this fixture sitting in the bottom half of the table on six points, but victory at the Emirates Stadium will see them leap up the division, level on points with their opponents - that is how quickly the mood can change. It has undoubtedly been a slower start to the season than many would have expected, though, having claimed one win from their first five competitive games since Silva was appointed.
3.46pmWorryingly for Everton fans, there is talk in the national press today about certain players being left unhappy by their increased workload on the training ground since Silva took over from Sam Allardyce. Some would say that is a good thing, but the report indicates that players are confused about their tactical setup and would rather focus on the basics. The Toffees' playing style is easier on the eye now compared to a few months back, but results need to improve.
3.48pmEverton's only league win to date came on August 18 at home to Southampton, with three draws and a defeat either side. The Merseysiders had at least made themselves difficult to beat under Silva, only to succumb to a 3-1 loss at home to a pointless West Ham United side last weekend when punished for a poor defensive display at Goodison Park. It has not exactly been the toughest of starts for them, either, but time was always going to be a key factor due to the large turnover during the summer.
3.50pmSilva has also had to contend with a number of injury layoffs, although that situation seems to be clearing up just a little as Michael Keane is back in the team today and others are back in training. Momentum is something that Everton have struggled with for a while now, though, having won back-to-back matches just twice in the Premier League since Christmas. A win here would surely kickstart their campaign, and indeed this new era for the club.
3.52pmEverton face Fulham, Leicester City and Crystal Palace after this trip to North London - three games that they could realistically win. Following that, though, they face five of last season's top six in the space of a month, so if results do not pick up before then they could be in serious trouble - as they were 12 months ago. Plenty of ifs and buts, of course, and Silva will no doubt be confident that his side can gradually climb the table.
3.54pmDID YOU KNOW? Everton have won just three of their last 29 away games in the Premier League, drawing 12 and losing 14 of those. It is just one win in 13 top-flight outings on a Sunday, meanwhile, with 10 of those ending in defeat. Marco Silva is without a win in seven away matches, stretching into his time with Watford.
3.56pmPRE-MATCH COMMENTS!
Unai Emery: "We've won two matches away and that's small progress, but very important for continuing to improve our confidence. I think we are finding the balance. Now it's very important, and our objective, to improve in the defensive moments."
Marco Silva: "Of course the second goal was one moment with Jordan [Pickford] but the other two, we have to do better in that situation like we prepared. It's something we analysed during the week. They already know what we did in the wrong way and what I expect in the next game that we don't do the same."
3.58pmEmery describes the last few weeks as "small progress" for his side, and now he will be desperate to make it two wins from two on home soil after picking up a huge victory against West Ham United here not so long ago. Opposite number Silva, meanwhile, spent some time this week - ironically - defending his defenders. The Toffees have conceded five goals from set pieces in the Premier League already - the most in the division before this weekend.
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1 minKICKOFF: Everton get us up and running in this final Premier League match of the weekend. Arsenal are back on track thanks to four wins in a row in all competitions, whereas the Toffees are in desperate need of a boost following a slow start to the campaign.
3 minSAVE! What a bright start to the game this has been from Everton, who would have been ahead if not for a good Petr Cech save early on. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was played clean through on goal, but he got the ball stuck under his feet and Cech got down to win the ball.
5 minArsenal have been caught out for too often this season by their high line, which was the case early on here. Hector Bellerin stepped up and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had plenty of grass to run into, but he did not keep his composure.
7 minThe home side just starting to find their feet now after very nearly finding themselves a goal down just a couple of minutes into the match. Alexandre Lacazette wins a corner, which Richarlison climbs highest to head clear.
9 minA cross into the Everton box causes some panic, but the referee blew his whistle for a handball infringement. Emery is already gesticulating quite frantically in his technical area, telling his players exactly where they need to be.
11 minThere are goals there for Everton today if they take their chances. Again the high line works against the Gunners, not helped by a sloppy pass in the build-up, but Theo Walcott's cross is aimed towards an offside Richarlison and the flag went up.
13 minPlenty of gasps around the Emirates Stadium every time Arsenal attempt to play the ball out from the back - they just do not look comfortable doing so. Gylfi Sigurdsson sends a good cross into the middle, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin fouled his man.
15 minSAVE! Everton's pressing is working well in the early stages of the match, and it is the visitors who have been the better side so far. Arsenal have just enjoyed their best moment, though - Nacho Monreal testing Jordan Pickford after Aubameyang laid the ball off.
17 minNacho Monreal probably should have been doing better with that chance, as he rather blasted the ball at Jordan Pickford from six yards out, instead of looking for the bottom corner. Then again, he is a full-back by trade!
19 minA studs-up challenge from Lucas Torreira on Gylfi Sigurdsson leads to the Uruguayan being cautioned on his first Premier League start. Torreira was unhappy with referee Jonathan Moss's decision, but a yellow card was the correct call.
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21 minSAVE! Great play from Richarlison to hold off Hector Bellerin before getting a shot away - Everton's second on target - for Petr Cech to push clear. This has been a good showing from the Toffees in the opening quarter of the game.
23 minArsenal have had slightly more of the ball in the opening 23 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, as you would expect, but it is the visitors who have looked the more threatening. Still awaiting the first goal, but at this rate we should see a couple in the remainder.
25 minYELLOW CARD! Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is too quick for Lucas Digne, who did what was required to stop the Gabonese striker in his tracks at the expense of a free kick and a yellow card. The match has gone a bit flat over the last few minutes.
27 minSHOT! Nearly a third of the game played and we are going through a bit of a quiet spell. It had been entertaining enough in the opening quarter, but Richarlison's shot wide of target is the closest either side have come in the last eight minutes.
29 minSAVE! Another yellow card in North London, this time for Sokratis for his challenge on Theo Walcott. The Greek defender halted the ex-Arsenal ace in his tracks, and from the free kick Petr Cech pushed Lucas Digne's effort over the crossbar.
31 minArsenal just having to hold on a little at the moment, having struggled to find their attacking groove. It is not the first time the Gunners have come out of the blocks a little slow this term, which is fast becoming a theme under Emery.
33 minThe home side finally managed to get forward, but the attack comes to little. It has helped improve the atmosphere around the Emirates Stadium, though, which has been flat pretty much throughout the match. Mustafi is currently receiving treatment.
35 minShkodran Mustafi is now back on the field, but he does not look entirely comfortable. The match has lost its rhythm completely following what was a lively start to proceedings. Half time is now just 10 minutes away.
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37 minSAVE! Marco Silva will be the happier of the two managers at this stage. Everton have created the better chances, including one for Theo Walcott a few moments ago. The forward was slotted though but could not quite lift the ball over Petr Cech.
39 minARSENAL SUB! Sokratis, like defensive teammate Shkodran Mustafi, picked up a knock a little earlier. The Greek defender is unable to shake it off and Rob Holding is on in his place. Not ideal to have to make a change this early in the match.
41 minTheo Walcott's afternoon may be coming to an early end, too. The ex-Arsenal man appears to have a black eye, possibly after being caught by the ball when Petr Cech made that save a few minutes ago. Silva will probably evaluate the situation at half time.
43 minThe ball is cut back for Alexandre Lacazette to hit, but he did not take on the shot and the chance went begging. The ball was then worked to the back post, where Hector Bellerin was beaten to it by Jonjoe Kenny. Arsenal have stepped things up at long last.
45 minOFF THE BAR! This was definitely a cross from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but it was pretty much the closest Arsenal have come to a breakthrough goal. Jordan Pickford could not reach it when backtracking and it hit the crossbar. This is the Gunners' best spell of the match.
45+1 minSAVE! Richarlison uses the run of Theo Walcott as a decoy and blasts a shot on target that needed a fingertip stop from Petr Cech to help it over the crossbar. The Toffees have certainly had chances to open the scoring in this first half.
45+3 minHALF TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 EVERTON
4.49pmA few words exchanged between Emery and Silva at the end of the first half as a challenge from Lucas Torreira went unpunished - in terms of a second yellow card, at least. It is goalless at the midway point in North London, but both teams have had opportunities to score.
4.52pmThe Toffees are without a win in 24 visits to this part of North London in all competitions, but they certainly took no notice of the negative statistics as they edged the first half. They would have been ahead inside two minutes, if not for the first of Petr Cech's stops to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the youngster had been played in behind.
4.55pmNacho Monreal was kept out by Jordan Pickford up the other end, but it was the Toffees who were looking the more threatening as Arsenal struggled to cope with the high press. Richarlison fired in two shots on target, both of which Cech managed to deal with in a fairly routine manner. The Brazilian, back in the side after a three-match ban, then dragged a shot wide when given some space inside the box, while Lucas Digne's free kick was pushed over the bar by an overworked Cech.
4.58pmFormer Arsenal man Theo Walcott was also guilty of squandering a good chance for the visitors, failing to get enough on his attempted chip over Cech when racing in behind, and Everton were so nearly punished in the closing stages of the first half. An attempted cross from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved awkward for Jordan Pickford to deal with, and the England international was grateful to his crossbar for keeping it out.
5.01pmBENCH WATCH!
ARSENAL SUBS: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Guendouzi, Elneny, Iwobi, Welbeck
EVERTON SUBS: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Baines, Bernard, Schneiderlin, Lookman, Tosun
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46 minKICKOFF: Arsenal get us back under way at the Emirates Stadium. It was not the best of performances from the Gunners in the first half, and an improvement will be needed in the following 45 minutes if they are to take three points from this match.
48 minThe home side have a corner to defend in the opening throes of the second period. A teasing cross from Gylfi Sigurdsson from the next attacking wave was met by Michael Keane, who had stayed high up the pitch, but he headed it over the bar.
50 minSAVE! Mesut Ozil, who has had another one of his quiet games, manages to find some space in the box and sees his cross cut out for a corner. The German playmaker takes the set piece, which is cut back for Ramsey on the edge of the box. A good technique, but the shot is saved by Pickford.
52 minRicharlison is such a threat when he gets at opposition players. The Brazilian ghosts past Aaron Ramsey like he wasn't there and then got a cross into the box, which was gobbled up by Petr Cech at his near post.
54 minHome fans are trying to urge their players on. There has not been near enough urgency from the Gunners all afternoon, and they are a tad fortunate to still be level in this match. The visiting side are starting to dominate.
56 minGOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 EVERTON (ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE)
57 minWhat a brilliant finish this is from Alexandre Lacazette. Arsenal have spent about two minutes of this second half on top, and they take full advantage of it - unlike their opponents - as Lacazette curled a sublime shot out of Jordan Pickford's reach from 15 yards.
59 minAbout a minute before that Alexandre Lacazette goal, Arsenal felt that they should have had a penalty when the ball hit Lucas Digne's hand inside the box. It wasn't a penalty for me, but it would have been a big talking point had the Gunners not scored.
60 minGOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 EVERTON (PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG)
61 minEverton have well and truly been punished for their profligacy. It was three against one as Mesut Ozil got in behind, before squaring it for Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman slipped, but just when the attack looked to be dead he flicked it through for Aubameyang to tuck home.
63 minReplays show that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a good yard offside for that second goal - cruel on Everton, who will feel that they should be ahead, never mind two goals behind. Still a little under half an hour for them to rescue something.
65 minSAVE! Arsenal two goals to the good thanks to two goals in three minutes, then, and they are looking a lot more comfortable now compared to the opening 55 minutes or so. Hector Bellerin has a go from range, but it is easy enough for Pickford to deal with.
67 minThe Toffees have not offered a great deal since going two down, and it is looking like being back-to-back defeats for the visiting side. Plenty of encouragement for Everton in terms of their first-half display, but results are what count.
69 minARSENAL SUB! Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the first Arsenal player to score more than one goal in the league this season, is replaced by Alex Iwobi for the remaining 20 minutes or so. Everton are yet to make any changes.
71 minEverton have clicked back into gear, potentially setting us up for a lively finale if they can pull one back. Richarlison finds a bit of space to get a shot away in the box, but clearly not enough room as it is blocked behind for a corner.
73 minSAVE! The order of the day for Arsenal now is surely to keep a first clean sheet of the season. A free header for Michael Keane should have ended those hopes, but Petr Cech did well to get down and push the ball aside.
75 minEVERTON SUBS! Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who missed a glorious chance inside the first couple of minutes, is replaced by Cenk Tosun. Theo Walcott also makes way to a good reception, with Brazilian attacker Bernard coming on.
77 minA disappointing cross from Bernard ends with the ball going right out of play for a goal kick. There is a stoppage in play now for Richarlison and Shkodran Mustafi to receive some treatment - the latter has certainly been in the wars today!
79 minArsenal are in cruise control at the moment, which is in stark contrast to the opening 55 minutes or so when they struggled to get going. Winning when not at your best is not the worst quality to have, of course, and it is looking like five wins from five.
81 minARSENAL SUB! Aaron Ramsey makes way as we enter the final 10 minutes, with Danny Welbeck on in his place. The Gunners would like a third goal just to make sure of the points, which will lift them into sixth place.
83 minThat second Arsenal game killed off this contest. Everton have offered next to nothing since Aubameyang scored from an offside position, and they now have just seven minutes - plus a few added on - to rescue something from the match.
85 minGylfi Sigurdsson with a rare shot from the edge of the box, which must have taken a slight deflection on its way over the crossbar as a corner kick was awarded. Everton probing away at the moment, but they are not really looking like scoring.
87 minCLOSE! Everton are finally having a go here. Cenk Tosun got a powerful shot on goal, which Petr Cech was equal to, and Lucas Digne then clipped the crossbar with his intended cross. Still time for the Toffees to snatch an unlikely point here.
89 minWe are into the final minute of normal time and Arsenal are inviting far too much pressure on themselves - you can see why they have struggled to keep clean sheets when in front this season. Tom Davies's deep cross is just about dealt with.
90+1 minThe first of four added-on minutes have been played and Everton are not really any closer to scoring. A first clean sheet of the season is imminent for Arsenal, who will move up to sixth place - above Manchester United - with this victory.
90+3 minArsenal are determined to keep a first clean sheet, and they have looked a lot more comfortable over the past two minutes after previously inviting pressure on themselves. More disappointment for Everton, who are stuck on one win for the season.
90+5 minFULL TIME: ARSENAL 2-0 EVERTON
5.59pmQuickfire second-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earn Arsenal a 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners had been second best on home soil up until those two strikes, which gave them complete control of the contest.
6.01pmThat concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from North London. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, and be sure to join us a little later for updates from Barcelona's La Liga clash with Girona. See you then!
