Arsenal player ratings vs Everton: Max Dowman extraordinary as David Raya steps up again | OneFootball

Gunners take a huge step towards the Premier League title with a late win over Everton

Max Dowman’s heroics dragged Arsenal to a pivotal 2-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

The tension built and the groans from the stands grew louder, but Dowman came off the bench and his cross led to Viktor Gyokeres turning home in the 89th minute.

Dowman then completed a dream cameo with the final kick, running it clear from a corner with Jordan Pickford up the pitch and finishing to an absolute eruption of noise.

Matt Verri was at the Emirates Stadium to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 8

Stunning stop with his feet to keep out Beto’s low strike early in the second-half. Also denied Dewsbury-Hall with a sharp save, stepping up massively when required. Worked hard for his clean sheet.

Jurrien Timber 5

Decent combination play but picked up an early injury and did not recover, despite continuing for another 20 minutes. Major concern ahead of a huge week.

William Saliba 7

Saw so much of the ball and had more responsibility to make incisive passes than usual. Did not always come off but good intent. Had the better of Beto and Barry.

Gabriel 7

Strangely let the ball bounce from kick-off when Everton launched it long but otherwise assured at the back. No need for his trademark last-ditch heroics.

Riccardo Calafiori 7

So unpredictable in the final third. Twice went close early on and an absurdly good acrobatic block prevented what looked a certain McNeil goal. Does add something very different to the Arsenal attack.

Martin Zubimendi 6

Improved on recent performances. More energy in bursting into the box, leading the way for touches in Everton’s area in the first half. Influence dropped a lot in the second half and looked increasingly tired.

Declan Rice 7

Plenty of energy as he kept trying to drive forward into space. Cross created chance for Zubimendi and Saka. Made a couple of great challenges to stop Everton attacks in the second-half.

Bukayo Saka 6

Denied by an incredible Pickford save, only for offside flag to go up anyway. Buzzed around without really looking like a big moment. Barely involved after move to No10.

Eberechi Eze 5

Arsenal need more from their No10 in these kind of games. One nice pass through to Havertz but otherwise wasteful and too keen to shoot from distance. Went close with one brilliant left-footed strike but otherwise poor.

Struggle: Eberechi Eze

AFP via Getty Images

Noni Madueke 6

Rare start on the left and electric at times, frustrating at others. Again. Direct in running at his man and that intent is a positive, but his final pass or shot is too often lacking. Hooked after an hour.

Kai Havertz 6

Unfortunate to not win a first-half penalty and linked up really nicely with Saka and Zubimendi at times. Faded after half-time and struggled to get involved, before he was replaced on the hour mark.

Substitutes:

Cristhian Mosquera (Timber 38’) 6

Interesting he was preferred to White as Timber’s replacement. Front-footed in his defending but no contribution at all in attack.

Viktor Gyokeres (Havertz 60’) 7

Had offered pretty much nothing up front until the ball fell his way for the simplest of finishes. There when it mattered most.

Gabriel Martinelli (Madueke 60’) 4

Disappointing cameo. Failed to clear the ball in his own box to nearly give Everton a big chance, and execution at the other end was miles off what was required.

Max Dowman (Zubimendi 74’) 9

Extraordinary. Only 16 and yet Arsenal’s best hope of a magic moment. His cross created Gyokeres’ goal and then ran half the pitch to score his own. Ridiculous talent.

Piero Hincapie (Calafiori 74’) 7

Great flick in the move for Dowman’s chance. Then in the right place to get the ball across and set up Gyokeres’ winner.