Aubameyang’s double rescues Gunners against Everton

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s header a minute into the second half clinched a 3-2 victory for Arsenal over Everton in a frenetic Sunday afternoon tussle at the Emirates.

The win takes the Gunners up to ninth in the Premier League table – now just three points behind rivals Tottenham after going ten matches unbeaten in all competitions.

It was opponents Everton that had gotten the game off to a flyer, however, as England hopeful Dominic Calvert-Lewin acrobatically fired Carlo Ancelotti’s men into the lead in the opening minute of the match.

Some eyebrows were raised when Mikel Arteta again selected youngster Eddie Nketiah over the more experienced Alexandre Lacazette.

But the teen striker paid back his manager’s faith in the 27th minute when his smart first-time finish put Arsenal back on level terms.

And the Gunners soon found themselves ahead when skipper Aubameyang confidently slotted past Toffees ‘keeper Jordan Pickford just six minutes later.

But Everton just wouldn’t lie down, and Richarlison was able to bundle the ball home on the stroke of half-time, although Arteta was unhappy with the Brazilian’s boot being high as he challenged Bernd Leno.

Nicolas Pepe’s cross was headed in by Aubameyang straight after the restart, with Ancelotti slumping into his seat as his side got off to the nightmare start in the second half.

And while his side huffed and puffed, they just could not find another equaliser as the second period wore on.

They came closest to breaking through when Calvert-Lewin’s stoppage-time header flew agonisingly wide, but the Gunners just about held on for the three points.

Read Also:Arteta set to offload Lacazette, Aubameyang, Ozil in major shake-up

Ancelotti was able to turn to Andre Gomes, however, as the Portuguese midfielder made a welcome early return from his horror November injury from the bench.

The wily Italian also turned to compatriot Moise Kean in the closing stages, but it was Arsenal who held firm to seal the points