LONDON — The classic chant “1-0 to the Arsenal” was heard at Everton as Gunners fans celebrated a Premier League win that was a throwback to its pragmatic style of the mid-1990s.
A 69th-minute goal by substitute Leandro Trossard was a rare moment of quality in a game more typical of the Arsenal way celebrated in song before Arsene Wenger´s arrival as coach in 1996 began a new era of creativity.
Trossard cleverly guided a first-time, left-footed shot into the net off the far post after Bukayo Saka cut back a pass he could take smoothly in his stride for the 1-0 win.
It capped a standout week for the Belgium winger who scored a similarly impressive goal with his right foot Tuesday in his national team´s 5-0 rout of Estonia in a European Championship qualifying game.
“I´ve been practicing all my life with both feet and it helps you in the game as an attacker,” Trossard said.
Everton was happy to play spoiler to Arsenal, letting last season´s league runner-up have 75% possession of the ball.
It resulted in a third straight 1-0 loss for Everton at home this season and its two goals in five games is the worst scoring ratio in the Premier League.
It made for a comfortable Arsenal debut for goalkeeper David Raya, on a season-long loan from Brentford. He replaced Aaron Ramsdale who was rested after starting for England on Tuesday in a 3-1 win over Scotland.
“I cannot have two players in each position and not play them,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said. “David has tremendous qualities, like Aaron has.”
Ramsdale could return Wednesday when Arsenal plays its first Champions League group-stage game in seven years – at home to PSV Eindhoven.
Everton is already 18th in the 20-team standings and a third straight fight against relegation seems possible for a proud club looking in severe decline.
Chelsea’s much-vaunted attack failed to fire again as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, the second Premier League game in a row in which the Blues have failed to score.
After losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in their last league game, Chelsea dominated possession in the first half with Nicolas Jackson striking the foot of the post in the 14th minute and Conor Gallagher wasting a glorious opportunity just after the half-hour mark.
Dango Outtara enjoyed the best of Bournemouth’s rare first-half chances as he connected with a low ball across the box, but Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez dived to smother his close-range shot.
The visitors had the ball in the net early in the second half as Raheem Sterling struck the angle of post and crossbar with a free kick and Levi Colwill blasted home the rebound, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The introduction of Justin Kluivert as a second-half substitute gave Bournemouth a much-needed attacking edge and he was fouled on the edge of the area in the 76th minute, but Philip Billing’s subsequent free kick was deflected wide for a corner.
Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke followed that up shortly afterwards with a fierce shot, and moments later he sent a looping header just wide as the home side enjoyed a rare spell of attacking pressure.
Chelsea almost got the winner five minutes from the end of normal time as Sterling picked out Cole Palmer, but Cherries keeper Neto made a brilliant one-handed reflex save to keep out the substitute’s deft volley.
The draw moves Bournemouth up to 15th spot on three points, two points and one place behind Chelsea whose coach Mauricio Pochettino could not hide his disappointment.
“What the numbers say in the end is that it wasn’t enough. It’s always about the game. We should win 1-0, 2-0 today easily because in the first 30 minutes we had the chances,” he told Sky Sports.
“If we didn’t score and didn’t win the game, maybe you need to say to the people that it wasn’t enough,” he added.
Bournemouth’s players felt they were unlucky not to win.
