Arsenal vs Everton: Classic Encounters

As Arsenal prepare to take on Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, VAVEL recalls some classic affairs between the two sides.

Arsenal vs Everton: Classic Encounters
circa 1970: Joe Royle of Everton (left) with Arsenal's John Roberts and Frank McLintock (right). (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)
charlieadey
By Charlie Adey

Despite the ongoing attention surrounding the birth and subsequent death of the infamous European Super League, Mikel Arteta's side will have their sights firmly set on a Premier League victory over Everton

The Toffees have faltered in recent weeks after a promising start to the season, as Carlo Ancelotti's side have failed to record a victory in their last six games in all competitions. 

Arsenal have themselves have struggled for consistency this season, which was typified by The Gunners failing to recreate their emphatic 4-0 demolition of Slavia Prague in Europe against Fulham last time out, which resulted in a lacklustre 1-1 draw. 

There have been some fiery and high-scoring encounters between Arsenal and Everton, with 570 goals scored in 201 games played.

Without further ado, here are classic encounters between the pair.

Everton 2-5 Arsenal: 2017/18

Kicking things off is a relatively recent meeting between the two sides, with The Gunners putting on a vehement display against a poor Everton side. 

On the day of Arsene Wenger's 68th birthday, Arsenal travelled to Goodison Park with the view of becoming the first side to score 100 goals against a team in the Premier League. They did not disappoint.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for Everton in the 12th minute with a thunderous strike from outside the box before Nacho Monreal drew Arsenal level before half-time, scoring Arsenal's 1,500th Premier League goal under Wenger. 

Mesut Özil put the visitors in front after the break with a sumptuous header following Alexis Sanchez's deft ball into the box before the German assisted Alexandre Lacazette to put The Gunners 3-1 up.

Aaron Ramsey calmly slotted in Arsenal's fourth of the afternoon before a mix up between Monreal and Petr Čech allowed Oumar Niasse to capitalise. 

Alexis ensured victory for Arsenal in their 400th away game under Wenger with a solo goal that demonstrated his time in North London (selfish and ignored his teammates but oozed quality nonetheless).

Ronald Koeman was subsequently sacked the following day as The Toffees languished in 18th place. 

Arsenal 7-0 Everton: 2004/05

In a game that exemplified Arsenal's ruthlessness in the early 21st century, The Gunners ran riot against a very good Everton side - who had qualified for the UEFA Champions League - scoring seven in the process. 

A 21-year-old Robin Van Persie opened the scoring for the home side after an eagle-eyed pass from Dutchman, Dennis Bergkamp, who was easily the standout performer.

A day after celebrating his 36th birthday, Bergkamp set up Robert Pires in the 12th minute and Patrick Vieira in the 37th minute, giving The Gunners a 3-0 lead over The Toffees at half-time. 

The domination didn't stop there as Pires claimed his second of the afternoon before Edu added Arsenal's fifth from the penalty spot.

Bergkamp rounded up his virtuoso performance with a goal of his own and substitute Mathieu Flamini scored Arsenal's seventh of the game. 

Current Arsenal boss Arteta played for Everton that afternoon and was on the receiving end of Everton's heaviest Premier League defeat ever. 

Arsenal 4-0 Everton: 1970/71

Perhaps a game most fans will be unfamiliar with, The Gunners illustrated their dominance in the English game with a 4-0 over Everton in Arsenal's title winning 1970/71 season.

The talismanic Ray Kennedy scored a brace for Arsenal and Peter Storey made no mistake from the penalty spot before Eddie Kelly netted Arsenal's fourth of the afternoon.

It was a momentous game for Arsenal as they dazzled their way to a convincing win over the reigning champions.

Arsenal were still two points behind Leeds United following the game against Everton, but that win kickstarted a 14 game unbeaten run which included just three draws. 

It was a season for the ages. Arsenal would remain unbeaten at home throughout the entire league campaign and would become only the fourth side in history to complete the league and FA Cup double, beating Liverpool 2-1 in the final. 

More importantly, manager Bertie Mee guided Arsenal to their first league title since the 1952/53 season, with The Gunners sealing the Division One league title in the last game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane for the first - but not the last - time.