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Arsenal responded to their elimination from two cup competitions by beating Everton 2-0 in the Premier League through first-half goals by Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi to keep alive its fading title challenge on Saturday.
It was a comfortable victory for Arsenal at the end of a week when its chances of winning silverware this season virtually disappeared after losses to Watford and Barcelona in the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively.
Everton produced another head-scratching display at Goodison Park, with Welbeck running through unchecked to score in the seventh minute and Iwobi marking his first league start with his first league goal in the 42nd.
Arsenal moved eight points behind first-place Leicester, which visits Crystal Palace later Saturday.
But who stood out in Merseyside? See below for our player ratings from Goodison Park...
Show all 22 1 /22Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Joel Robles - 6 out of 10 Was left badly exposed by his defenders for both of Arsenal's goals, and wasn't called upon to make many clear-cut saves otherwise. 6
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Seamus Coleman - 7 out of 10 Provided Everton's main attacking threat with his willingness to get forward down the right and consistent delivery. 7
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Phil Jagielka - 7 out of 10 Was left stranded by his defensive partner for the Welbeck goal, but very solid otherwise. Missed a wonderful chance to pull a goal back. 7
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Ramiro Funes Mori - 5 out of 10 Was drawn out of position easily for the first goal, and left for dead by Iwobi after losing possession for the second. 5
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Leighton Baines - 5 out of 10 His delivery from both a dead ball and open play was uncharacteristically erratic, and was caught out defensively on several occasions. 5
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings James McCarthy - 5 out of 10 Find it tough going against an Arsenal midfield on top form as the Everton midfield struggled to keep possession.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Muhamed Besic - 5 out of 10 Forced a low first-half save from Ospina, but should have conceded a penalty and his weak tackle led to the second goal. Subbed at half-time.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Aaron Lennon - 5 out of 10 Started brightly and got into some good positions, but his final ball let him down.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Ross Barkley - 5 out of 10 Failed to exert much influence on the game, and struggled to provide a much-needed link between the midfield and Lukaku before being substituted.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Tom Cleverley - 6 out of 10 Provided some bright moments in the first half and was full of running.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Romelu Lukaku - 6 out of 10 Was left isolated by his midfield – the rare moments on which he did threaten were confined to the flanks.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings David Ospina - 6 out of 10 Only really needed to make one proper save, from Besic in the first-half. Recovered well from a horrible-looking clash with Lukaku.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Hector Bellerin - 8 out of 10 Marked his 21st birthday with a fine display, threatening with his pace and getting forward tirelessly. His fine first-time pass set up Iwobi's goal.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Gabriel - 6 out of 10 Started shakily, and never quite looks convincing, but got the better of a physical battle with Lukaku.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Laurent Koscielny - 7 out of 10 Mopped up well after a couple of Gabriel's less assured moments, and was solid and composed throughout.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Nacho Monreal - 7 out of 10 Provides the ideal foil to Bellerin – unflappable defensively, and got forward on occasion to offer an attacking threat of his own.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Mohamed Elneny - 7 out of 10 Combined well with Coquelin to keep the Everton midfield quiet – fine defensively and intelligent in possession.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Francis Coquelin - 7 out of 10 Typically solid and unflustered in front of the back four against an Everton midfield that lacked ideas.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Alexis Sanchez - 8 out of 10 Looked to be approaching something like his best: set up Welbeck's goal brilliantly, should have had a penalty and was sharp until the final whistle.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Mesut Ozil - 8 out of 10 His interplay with Sanchez created Arsenal's wonderful first goal, and was typical of a performance in which the German pulled the strings throughout.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Iwobi - 9 out of 10 By no means the finished article, but a superb Premier League debut from the 19-year-old. Quick, direct and skilful, and took his goal with aplomb.
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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings Danny Welbeck - 8 out of 10 Was Arsenal's biggest threat in the first half and took his goal with great composure, but faded slightly in the second half.
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The Gunners are now just eight points behind Leicester with a game in hand on Claudio Ranieri's Foxes.
Additional reporting from AP.
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