Leandro Trossard goal ends Arsenal’s six-year curse at Everton

Leandro Trossard hit a valuable winning goal for Arsenal as they extended their excellent start to the season against Everton at Goodison Park.

The Belgian winger struck home an excellent effort midway through the second half to finally help the Gunners to victory on Merseyside for the first time in six years.

Gabriel Martinelli looked to have given the Gunners the lead in the first-half, only for VAR to intervene and chalk-off his opener.

Arsenal eventually went in front in the second half through Trossard, with his goal being enough to carry Arsenal to their fourth win from their opening five games.

There were more than a few baffled glances around Goodison Park after Martinelli’s opener was disallowed. Commentator Gary Neville was among those scratching their heads.

The goal came about after Beto had attempted to block Gabriel Magalhaes’ pass. It then deflected all the way to Eddie Nketiah, who brought Fabio Vieira into play before the Portuguese midfielder released Martinelli with an expert pass.

The Brazilian’s finish was unerring as he slotted home. But Nketiah was adjudged to have been marginally offside in the build-up with the celebrations soon cut short.

Whilst Arsenal were aggrieved, it was the correct decision as Beto’s touch was unintentional. To make matters worse for Martinelli, he was substituted off through injury in the immediate aftermath.

Even ahead of kick-off, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta got supporters talking with his team selection. Summer signing David Raya replaced regular number one Aaron Ramsdale in goal.

He explained that the call had been made as part of a rotation policy ahead of a busy run of games. The Spaniard didn’t really have too much to do at all at Goodison Park so it remains to be seen whether it was the right call.

One man who may be a little frustrated is Ramsdale. The England keeper was consigned to the bench and that will not do his international prospects any favours, with Three Lions colleague Jordan Pickford impressing for Everton.

Arsenal struggled to break down their hosts for a long time at Goodison. Away from Martinelli’s disallowed goal and a good save from Jordan Pickford to deny Martin Odegaard early in the first half, the Gunners were lacking any real creativity.

That was until Trossard smashed the opener home. The former Brighton man polished off an excellent move to strike a thunderous effort in off the post.

It represented just his third goal for the North London side since moving to the Emirates Stadium. However, he is already developing a welcome habit with all three of those strikes coming as a substitute. The fact Arteta has players ready to make an impact only bodes well for a renewed title push.

The win will no doubt be satisfying for the Gunners but the fact that it has come at Goodison Park will leave an even wider smiler on Arteta’s face. Arsenal’s defeat at the same ground last season was one of a number of results which cost them in the race for the Premier League title.

That was certainly not an unfamiliar feeling with Arsenal winless away at Everton since 2017. They have also only scored two goals at Goodison in the time since.

Sunday’s showdown was equally as testing, with the Gunners looking for a long time as though they would depart frustrated. It is far too early in the season to say a win at Goodison could bolster their title chances but it no doubt allows Arsenal to breathe a sigh of relief.

Everton will be crestfallen having failed to keep Arsenal out despite keeping the Gunners at arms length throughout the majority of the clash. Things are looking up for the Toffees though with Dominic Calvert-Lewin returning sporting a mask after his cheek injury.