Arsenal 2 Everton 1
Mikel Arteta’s side were having their best season in North London since ‘The Invincibles’. However, they needed other results to go their way if they were to stand any chance of lifting the Premier League trophy as ironically a defeat against Aston Villa at home may have cost them dearly.
Everton were the visitors to the capital and despite having nothing to play for, were wanting to finish a testing season on a high. Two points deductions had put some doubt in their top-flight status but a run of form had seen Sean Dyche win the manager of the month award and confirm their safety.
As The Gunners tried to find an early goal, news was circulating around the ground about Man City taking the lead against West Ham. The players knew nothing of this however and as a ball was lifted into the back post, Tomiyasu headed wide when he should have at least hit the target.
Martinelli was the next player to have a sight of goal but he forced a superb stop from Pickford as he got down well to make a one-handed stop. With their financial problems looming, many have wondered if this might be the final appearance for The Toffees for their dinosaur-armed stopper.
Credit: @Arsenal
Dyche’s side managed to get forward for the first time in the game and Calvert-Lewin had the chance to ask questions of Raya. His shot came thundering back off the frame of the goal and he could only put the rebound into the side netting as he was off balance.
The Toffees then won a free kick in a dangerous position. Gueye’s effort struck Declan Rice in the wall and wrong-footed his keeper as it flew into the far corner of the goal. The Emirates fell silent as all their dreams were extinguished with one head of the ball.
Arteta’s side were not going to let that stop them. Three minutes later Odegaard cut the ball back from the byline. Tomiyasu ran onto it to drill the ball into the bottom corner to draw the hosts level. They still had plenty of work to do but the dream was back alive, just.
Calvert-Lewin strode forward after the interval and cut inside the defender onto his right foot. He only had one thing on his mind as he tried to bend his effort into the top corner. Raya got up well to make a good save and hold onto the ball in the process.
The Gunners came forward desperately looking for a second goal. A cross was clipped into the box by Martinelli but Havertz’s header smashed against the post. The German was pleased to see the linesman’s flag go up for offside to save his blushes.
Trossard then did well to get to the byline and cut the ball back to Odegaard with the Norwegian seemingly destined to score. Somehow, he struck his shot straight at Pickford who made a great block before his defenders helped him clear the ball.
Credit: @premierleague
Martinelli was having a great game for Arsenal and once again put a dangerous cross in. This time, Smith-Rowe volleyed into the ground, only to see his shot strike the crossbar and go over. At this point you wondered whether it was just going to be one of those days for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta made some substitutions to try and freshen things up and suddenly back-page headlines had started writing themselves. ‘Jesus saves’ would surely have adorned every publication up and down the country if they could make it happen.
He was involved as he stole the ball on the halfway line and played it into the path of Odegaard. The Norwegian was looking to shoot but scuffed his effort, fortunately Havertz was there to slot it into the top corner. In the 89th minute they had finally got the goal they craved.
VAR reviewed it and sent the referee to the monitor. Michael Oliver then baffled everyone. It was clear the ball had struck the arm of Jesus as he took it past the Everton defender. However, the goal stood and it left everyone wondering what the laws of the game are.
There were so many tears at the final whistle you could be forgiven for thinking that the film ‘Beaches’ was being shown on the monitors in the ground. It was not to be for The Gunners, they had won the game with a very questionable goal, but the title was Pep Guardiola’s.
Man City’s achievement just went to show what can be accomplished with £2bn spent, a manager with an offshore account, a suspended two-year ban from European competition and 115 charges for financial irregularity. Dreams really can come true.
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