Arsenal news: Alexandre Lacazette was on the verge of being taken off before he opened the scoring against Everton

Everton made the better start but Lacazette and Aubameyang's goals made it five wins in a row for Arsenal

Unai Emery has revealed that he was on the verge of withdrawing Alexandre Lacazette just moments before the Frenchman opened the scoring in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton.

Everton made the better start at the Emirates but spurned several good opportunities to score, with Arsenal struggling to convert their superior possession into goal-scoring chances.

And ten minutes into the second-half, Emery was in the process of substituting Lacazette before he opened the scoring with a fine finish from the edge of the penalty box. Moments later Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added a second, helping Arsenal towards their fourth Premier League win in a row.

“It’s not important, but yes” Emery replied when asked whether he had been intending to take off Lacazette before the goal. “At that point we needed a change to stop their attacking moments but then we scored and I decided to think again.”

Emery was also full of praise for veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech, who made several impressive saves to help Arsenal record their first clean sheet of the season.

The 39-year-old has come under considerable pressure already this season as he continues to adapt to playing the ball out from the back, but his shot stopping ability has never been questioned.

Cech is currently keeping summer singing Bernd Leno out of Arsenal’s starting XI and Emery suggested that is not about to change anytime soon.

“I’m a little surprised because there have been a lot of questions over Cech,” Emery said, adding that Leno would do well to learn from Cech’s experience.

Arsenal had to be patient but the goals eventually came (Getty)

“In pre-season and also in the first matches with us, he’s played with good performances. Bernd Leno will also improve with us and learn about this competition here.

“For him, he’s also doing very well and benefiting from working every day with a goalkeeper like Cech. He’s learning from him, giving him experience and he’s watching him in games like today.

“Leno is a younger goalkeeper and he is coming here with a big future, but now, it’s a very competitive position. Petr Cech is very important for us.”

“Petr has big experience and a big quality. He’s started the season very well and we think he’s giving us the performance we want. Today he showed us that he’s very good and continuing to work hard with this spirit every day.”