Everton of England midfielder, Alex Iwobi was missing in action in his side’s shock victory away to his former club, Arsenal, who had Nigerian-born winger, Bukayo Saka in action, megasportsarena.com reports.
While Iwobi was absent, Saka put up a gritty yet futile effort to save The Gunners, but Everton ended their 25-year wait for a win at Emirates Stadium and moved to within three points of the English Premier League’s top four.
The Toffees had the last laugh in London, after Arsenal shot-stopper, Bernd Leno’s calamitous own goal secured a 1-0 victory amid protests from supporters of the home side on Friday night.
Richarlison’s cross flashed through the Arsenal goalkeeper’s legs with 14 minutes remaining as a tumultuous week at Arsenal – which began with the club’s intention to join a European Super League – ended in a home defeat.
Iwobi was rooted to the visitors’ bench, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned to the starting line-up as one of three changes for The Toffees, captain Seamus Coleman and Andre Gomes came in from the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
For Arsenal, Thomas Partey came back in while Nicolas Pepe started and Eddie Nketiah led the line having equalised in stoppage time after coming off the bench last time out.
Nketiah started up front with Pepe in support, and the young England striker made his presence known on the quarter-hour mark when challenging Godfrey from another Chambers centre, with the ball falling to Saka, but the Nigerian-born lad’s shot could not beat Jordan Pickford.
Later on, the hosts thought they had been awarded a second-half penalty when Dani Ceballos was fouled by Richarlison, but Pepe was deemed offside in the build-up upon VAR review.
Nonetheless, Everton carried the day and the result means Iwobi’s side remain in eighth position but move to within a point of sixth-placed Tottenham and are now six points clear of Arsenal in ninth
