Arsenal 0-1 Everton Player Ratings: Leno howler costs Gunners
Mikel Arteta's woes as Arsenal manager continued on Friday as the Gunners slumped to a miserable 1-0 loss at home to Everton.
A penalty disallowed by VAR was as close as the home side came to breaking the deadlock in a tight match, although Everton did hit the woodwork thanks to a Gylfi Sigurdsson free kick in the first half.
In the end, though, it was an incredible mistake from Bernd Leno that saw the match decided in Everton’s favour, leaving Arteta’s side needing a miracle to reach Europe next season.
Arsenal 0-1 Everton: Player Ratings, Match Statistics
✖ Bernd Leno: 5.7
There will surely not be an error as massive in the Premier League this weekend as the one that Bernd Leno committed to give Everton the lead in a game that appeared to be in Arsenal’s command.
With quarter of an hour left to play, Richarlison beat makeshift left-back Granit Xhaka for speed and from a tight angle sent a low cross into the box. It should easily have been fielded by Leno, yet somehow he allowed it through his hands, through his legs and into the net.
Everton only otherwise had one shot he had to save.
✔️ Granit Xhaka: 7.4
So a fit Kieran Tierney would likely have dealt with the run that led to the Everton goal, but Xhaka continues to prove himself as a decent makeshift option in the left-back role.
He may not offer the same attacking support as the Scotland international star, but he knows to keep things simple and not make any glaring errors.
The whole Arsenal defence enjoyed a strong game, but he was the standout figure.
⭐ Ben Godfrey: 7.6
This was a match that saw defences well on top, and there was little doubt that Godfrey was the outstanding figure in this regard.
Eddie Nketiah was effectively quelled at the forefront of the Arsenal attack and the Gunners were unable to make any significant headway in this match thanks to Godfrey and Mason Holgate alongside him.
Arsenal 0-1 Everton: Player Ratings, Match Statistics