Arsenal player ratings - 'Scintillating' 9/10 but 'anonymous' 5 in frustrating Everton draw

Arsenal were held to a point in a frustrating meeting with Mikel Arteta’s former club Everton despite 90 minutes of dominance.

The Gunners went into Saturday afternoon’s clash against the Toffees having already played twice in the last six days, drawing against Fulham last weekend before beating AS Monaco on Wednesday. Everton, however, made the trip to London rested with last weekend’s Merseyside derby postponed due to Storm Darragh.

Despite early bags of possession from the hosts, it was Everton who posed the first serious problem, Abdoulaye Doucoure bearing down on the Arsenal goal on a break which required Gabriel to eat up ground and intervene.

That scare out the way, Arteta’s side controlled the fixture, a series of dangerous crosses and set-plays causing Everton problems without finding their way into the back of the net. The best chance of the opening 45 minutes came as the in-form Bukayo Saka snuck in behind Viatli Mykolenko but Odegaard couldn’t sort his feet out to poke in the golden opportunity.

It didn't take long for Arteta to ring changes after the break. The Spaniard turned to Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri to offer something different in midfield but his side still struggled to break down a resolute Everton side parked behind the ball.

The fixture turned bitty with 10 minutes left to play. Pickford and Armando Broja saw yellow for time wasting tactics with Arsenal also giving away free kicks for a couple of late challenges as Gunners balls peppered the Toffees’ penalty area.

Here’s how the Arsenal players rated from the first half of action at the Emirates Stadium.

GK - David Raya, 9

Not a save to make. Nearly called into action on an early Everton break but Gabriel intervened. He brings so much to this side in how he collects the ball to restart attacks and demands his defence forward.

RB - Myles Lewis-Skelly, 9

So much to love about the teenager’s first ever Premier League start. Played with composure and so much willingness to get himself around the pitch. It’s hard to believe this kid is only 18 years old. A purring afternoon.

CB - William Saliba, 9

His usual self. Never looked troubled by the Everton defence and constantly pops up to win the ball back. Perhaps could have been sharper to get his toe on a cross in the second half, but that is asking a lot of the Frenchman.

CB - Gabriel, 9

Put in a gut-busting run to get in the way of the Doucoure chance and it was his body that ended the Everton move that followed that corner. Not phased by a toothless Everton attack.

RB - Jurrien Timber, 7

Busying himself where possible but it was on his side that the one early Everton break happened.

CM - Mikel Merino, 5

Anonymous for large parts today before being replaced with just over 20 minutes left to play. This Arsenal side demands a lot from its midfielders and the jury is still out on whether the Spain international is up to that level.

CM - Declan Rice, 7

Put in a couple of corners with delicious curve that have had the Emirates Stadium holding its break. Spotted a brilliant chance to slot Saka through after 17 minutes but his mind perhaps worked a little too fast in seeing that. Subbed shortly after the break as the Gunners struggled to find that first goal.

CM - Martin Odegaard, 6

At the heart of everything that Arsenal do well, as usual, but his performance today will be remembered for the trio of misses in the first half. Skied a volley over from inside the box after ten minutes and then fired a more difficult chance wide moments later from a similar position. The best chance of the game fell to the captain as Saka pulled back from the wing but he couldn’t sort his feet out and should have done much better. Subbed shortly after the break.

LW - Gabriel Martinelli, 7

His pace was always a threat and the winger drew a good save from Pickford just before half-time. Needs to find a way of making sure the danger he can pose stays in a game rather than drifting in and out.

ST - Kai Havertz, 7

On the prowl up top, giving Jordan Pickford little time to relax. Won a cheap corner off Jarrad Branthwaite thanks to that keenness in the first half too but it was one of those days where Arsenal needed someone a little more talismanic in that position.

RW - Bukayo Saka, 8

Everton could do little to stop him when he got running. His danger grew and grew early in the second half but a couple of those crosses were mishit today. There were goals and assists out there for Saka this afternoon, but he couldn’t find them.

SUB - Jorginho, 5

Not a gamechanger in the centre of the park.

SUB - Ethan Nwaneri, 6

A breath of fresh air when he came on and looked capable of changing things but faded.

SUB - Gabriel Jesus, 5

Next to no uplift when the Brazil international came on from the bench. The ball squirmed his way after a Havertz knock on but wasn’t alert enough to make the most of that.

SUB - Thomas Partey, 5

Lacks the intensity of other central midfielders. Had a half shout for a penalty late on but VAR waved that away.

SUB - Leandro Trossard, 6

Offered a different prospect to Martinelli, but not always a better one from the bench,