Premier League: Gabriel Martinelli Stars Leaders Arsenal Crush Everton To Go Five Points Clear

Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after a brilliant performance from Gabriel Martinelli thrashed struggling Everton 4-0 on Wednesday. Bukayo Saka broke Everton’s stubborn resistance late in the first half before Brazilian forward Martinelli doubled Arsenal’s lead at the Emirates Stadium. Martin Odegaard scored the third and Martinelli secured Arsenal’s biggest win since October in what could serve as another landmark moment in their run towards the title. Mikel Arteta’s side needed to win their game against second-placed Manchester City as the title race reaches its climax.

With 13 games left, victory put Arsenal in top position to win the title for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ in 2003–04.

Arteta said, “Once we scored the first goal, the game was unlocked. We needed a magical moment and Bukayo got it. After that we progressed and deserved to win the game.”

“It’s a statement that we are here and want to keep going.”

After wobbly during a run of three league games without a win, which culminated with City knocking them off top spot with a 3-1 win at the Emirates, Arsenal have made an impressive comeback.

Three consecutive wins since the City defeat have taken the Gunners to 60 points, their joint-highest total since 25 Premier League fixtures, as well as the famous 2003–04 campaign and 2007–08.

Arteta said, “I am happy when I see the team playing the way we want. This league is a different story.”

“We had great proof of that at Goodison. I’m really pleased with the maturity and quality we showed.”

Shaun Deitch began his Everton reign with a 1–0 win against Arsenal at Goodison Park on 4 February.

But Everton have since lost three times and won only once, leaving them sitting third in the table.

Everton have had a below par game compared to all the teams around them and remain the league’s lowest scorer this season with just 17 goals.

Unless Dyke can cure his malaise, Everton are in grave danger of being relegated to the Second Division for the first time since 1954.

Arteta was rewarded for naming the same team that won 1-0 at Leicester on Saturday, with Leandro Trossard again selected in attack instead of Eddie Nketiah.

In a rare spell of Everton pressure, Aaron Ramsdale twice had to make saves from Neil Maupay in quick succession, but both times the striker’s efforts had no power to truly test the keeper.

– Slick Saka-Arteta insisted everything was “fine” between Gabriel and William Saliba despite the Arsenal centre-backs’ heated confrontation on the pitch after the Leicester game.

Gabriel certainly looked unfazed by the fiasco when he slid in with a perfectly timed block to prevent Maupay from landing a shot.

Everton’s rearguard action lasted until the 40th minute when Saka opened the floodgates.

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s pass found Saka in the Everton area and parried 21-year-old Vitaly Mykolenko before firing a fierce strike into the top corner for his 11th goal this season.

Maupay responded immediately for Everton with a long-range blast that went just wide.

Despite that escape, Arsenal were firing on all cylinders and Martinelli extended their lead in first-half stoppage-time.

Saka was the provider this time as he dozed off possession from Idrissa Gueye and found Martinelli, who slotted home from close-range for a goal that was confirmed by a VAR check for a tight offside claim against Brazil. was done later.

Odegaard put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute when the Arsenal captain beat Jordan Pickford with a deflected strike from Trossard’s cross.

There was still time for Arsenal to net again in the 80th minute as Nketiah’s cutback was tapped in at the near post by Martinelli.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

featured video of the day

Not a “rule-breaker or trendsetter”: Sania Mirza opens up ahead of final tennis event