Arsenal v Everton - story of the match
Aaron Ramsey hit a hat-trick and Arsenal fans were treated to a first showing of their January transfers in tandem as both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shone in a 5-1 win over Everton.
Gabon forward Aubameyang joined from Borussia Dortmund on deadline day for a club-record fee, uniting with his former team-mate Mkhitaryan, who had come in earlier in the window from Manchester United in a swap deal for Alexis Sanchez.
Ramsey was the star of the show, though, as the Wales midfielder hit his first career hat-trick, with the Gunners wrapping up a well-deserved victory.
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Tweet of the match:
Sensational 1st half.
This trio have resuscitated my flatlining Arsenal heart. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lTUUv6IDKJ — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 3, 2018
Star man: Aaron Ramsey
While Aubameyang’s (offside) debut goal may see him grab the headlines, it was the all-action display of Wales midfielder Ramsey which stood out. At the centre of everything positive and so quick in the transition, Ramsey’s double early salvo put the Gunners on their way to an impressive victory as Everton were over-run. Just for good measure, Ramsey crashed in a third after 74 minutes to complete a first career hat-trick shortly before being substituted. Job done.
Moment of the match
The Gunners set the tone for the match when sweeping into the lead after just six minutes with a slick passing move. Mesut Ozil fed Aubameyang, whose first-time flick laid the ball off into the path of Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the right side of the penalty area. The Armenian’s low pass through the six-yard box was promptly knocked home by Ramsey. Clinical.
Stat Attack
Aubameyang’s debut saw Gabon become the 50th different nation to be represented for Arsenal in the Premier League, while Ramsey continued his scoring spree against Everton, the Welshman now with six goals in his last four games when taking on the Toffees.
Ratings
Arsenal: Petr Cech 7 (out of 10), Hector Bellerin 7, Laurent Koscielny 8, Shkodran Mustafi 7, Nacho Monreal 7, Aaron Ramsey 9, Granit Xhaka 7, Henrikh Mkhitaryan 8, Mesut Ozil 8, Alex Iwobi 7, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 8.
Substitutes: Sead Kolasinac (for Monreal, 46) 7, David Ospina (for Cech, 70) 7, Jack Wilshere (for Ramsey, 74) 7
Everton: Jordan Pickford 6 (out of 10), Michael Keane 6, Ashley Williams 6, Eliaquim Mangala 5, Jonjoe Kenny 6, Morgan Schneiderlin 6, Idrissa Gueye 6, Cuco Martina 6, Theo Walcott 7, Oumar Niasse 6, Yannick Bolasie 6.
Substitutes: Tom Davies (for Michael Keane) 7, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (for Walcott) 7
Who’s up next?
Tottenham v Arsenal (Premier League, February 10)
Everton v Crystal Palace (Premier League, February 10)