Martinelli’s brace helps Arsenal go five points clear in Premier League

Gabriel Martinelli scored a brace while Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all put their name on the scoresheet as Arsenal beat Everton 4-0 to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Everton traveled to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in one of the rescheduled outstanding games. Both teams met at Goodison Park a few weeks back in Sean Dyche’s first game as the manager of the Toffee, and on that occasion, Everton emerged 1-0 winners thanks to a second-half goal from a James Sikorsky header.

However, Wednesday’s game was totally about the Gunners, and they eventually took the lead after so much resistance from the visitor’s defense, with Bukayo Saka opening the score 5 minutes before the break.

Gabriel Martinelli also doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, and in the second half, Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard took the game beyond Everton in the 71st minute while Martinelli added one more ten minutes before the end of the game.

The Wynn establishes a five-point gap between Arsenal and their closest rival Manchester City and manager Mikel Arteta was delighted with the outcome of the game.

“I am delighted with the win and the way we played after the first 25 minutes. We had some difficulties at the start. They are difficult to play against. Once we scored the first goal, the game unlocked. We needed a magic moment, and Bukayo produced that. After that, we grew and deserved to win the game. We played really well in the second half and could have scored more. I am delighted when I see the team play the way we want to.” Arteta said 

While Manchester City would host Newcastle United on Saturday, Arsenal travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth as the race for the Premier League continues.

Meanwhile, Liverpool were able to get a 2-0 victory over Wolves at Anfield in another outstanding encounter with Salah and Van Dijk on target.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu