Arsenal vs. Everton: Rating the Arsenal Players at Goodison Park

Arsenal are above Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclays Premier League for the first time this season after the Gunners beat Everton, 1-0, at Goodison Park.

It was only a few weeks ago that Spurs had a seemingly insurmountable 10-point buffer above their crosstown rivals, but in the span of four games, Arsenal have completely erased it, and then some.

This improbable comeback has been a testament to the Gunners' remarkable confidence, skill and mental fortitude, which coincidentally, were essential components of their latest victory over Everton.

The visitors dominated early on, silencing the crowd at Goodison Park with fantastic ball retention and brilliant movement. The fact that Thomas Vermaelen opened the scoring from a set-piece was ironic, as it was Arsenal's superb skill from open play that might have seen them go three or 4-nil up.

Eventually, though, Everton got into their stride, dug in at the back as they so often do at home and against Arsenal, and threatened to equalize for the next 82 minutes.

It took fantastic resolve, grit, determination, mental strength and whatever other football cliche you might use, but in the end, three invaluable points are coming back to the red half of North London after the type of "ugly" win that Robin van Persie so appreciates.

With that, here are the player ratings for the Arsenal players. All are from 1-10, with 10 being the highest possible score. As always, feel free to disagree with me in the comments.

Wojciech Szczesny: 6.5

Szczesny didn't have a whole lot to do for most of this game, but was solid when called upon, keeping his concentration in a way that many keepers cannot during this type of match. He gets some credit for the clean sheet, obviously, which is no easy feat.

Bacary Sagna: 7

Sagna is a model of consistency, and he more or less lived up to his standard in this match. Occasionally beaten by the threatening Steven Pienaar or Leon Osman, Bac tackled with an edge and was also an asset going forward, especially in the first half.

Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen: 8.5

Arsenal's two center-backs won the game for their team at both ends. Vermaelen slotted home Robin van Persie's corner in the eighth minute, and he and his partner would be the two unmovable objects in a defence that simply would not relent for the rest of the match.

Time and time again, Arsenal were stretched and forced to play from the back. With a lesser pairing of central defenders, the Gunners might well have conceded under the heavy pressure they endured for long stretches. Not with these two.

Kieran Gibbs: 7

Gibbs had one of the better games of his season, offering a valuable outlet in attack and getting back to do his role in defence when Arsenal stopped attacking during the middle of the game.

He was occasionally caught by surprise or, more frequently, out of line with the rest of the defence, but if Gibbs keeps this up, he might keep the returning Andre Santos out of the side. It's also worth noting that this, his ninth Premier League appearance, is the most he has accrued in any season for Arsenal.

Alex Song: 7.5

What a valuable player Song is to this Arsenal side. He acted as a box-to-box midfielder, switching from his mainly defensive role to a creative one when the team ventured forward. Sitting in front of the center-backs, his powerful presence halted many Everton attacks.

His knowledge of how to play is encapsulated in the fact that in the 93rd minute and with a good chance to score, he intelligently held play up near the corner flag to seal the win.

Tomas Rosicky: 7.5

Rosicky was, as one commentator put it, a "live-wire" during the first half—driving his team forward and providing great attacking impetus and drive. His one-twos with Aaron Ramsey and others contributed to much of Arsenal's stellar movement early on.

As the game became more of a defensive affair and most of the match was played in the Gunners' half, the Czech's influence was diminished somewhat. But all in all, another very good game from the resurgent Rosicky.

Mikel Arteta: 6.5

Arteta was very solid in his return to his old abode, playing the role of the midfield metronome that he so often does. The Spaniard's passing was solid and consistent as always, and the attack would not have been humming as it did if it were not for Arteta's understated yet powerful influence.

Everton were very unlucky to lose him in August, but their loss is proving to be our gain.

Aaron Ramsey: 8

The best Arsenal midfielder on the day in my opinion. Heavily involved in the first half, he nearly scored several times and should have netted within the opening five minutes. Ramsey's one-touch passing and movement was superb, and his constant activity was crucial to Arsenal early on.

On the occasions when the Gunners forayed forward, the Welshman was usually involved in the play, and the fact that Arsene Wenger chose to take off Tomas Rosicky instead of Ramsey speaks volumes about his performance.

Theo Walcott: 6.5

Walcott was generally pretty good and genuinely challenged Leighton Baines on the right flank with his pace and improving technique. He stayed back when he had to later on, but was one of the only Arsenal players who broke forward when he had the opportunity.

That said, there was not much end product from Walcott, as is so often the case. And when the going got really tough, the Englishman became anonymous.

Robin van Persie: 7.5

Van Persie did not have his best game of the season, but his fantastic movement and link-up play was the driving force behind the Arsenal attack when it was in full swing. If Arteta is the glue that keeps the midfield going, van Persie is the player who bonds the Arsenal attack.

Even when he doesn't score—and he almost added the Gunners' second when he hit the post in the second half—Robin van Persie continues to prove just how essential he is to this Arsenal side.

Substitutes

Gervinho: 6.5

In his cameo, Gervinho was very positive and influential, latching onto loose balls on the left and sprinting straight at the Everton defence, which no other player did before the Ivorian's entrance. Here's hoping that he can rediscover the form he had prior to the African Cup of Nations.

Johan Djourou: N/A

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