Aaron Ramsey Nets Hat-Trick as Arsenal Rout Everton

Aaron Ramsey scored a hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed Everton 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also on target on his Gunners debut.

The hosts were in rampant form, as two goals by Ramsey and a Laurent Koscielny header put them 3-0 up after just 19 minutes. Aubameyang then scored his first goal for the club to cap a superb first-half display.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back for Everton after the break before Ramsey completed his hat-trick. Henrikh Mkhitaryan also shined, as he ended his home debut with three assists.

Manager Arsene Wenger handed Aubameyang a debut with Alexandre Lacazette relegated to the bench, while former Gunner Theo Walcott started for the visitors. James Gheerbrant of the Times shared the two teams:

Mkhitaryan instantly endeared himself to Arsenal supporters by setting up Ramsey for the opener after just six minutes. The Armenian sent in a low cross from the right, and the midfielder side-footed past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Mkhitaryan then let fly from range just minutes later, though his effort flew narrowly wide of Pickford's post. ESPN FC's Mattias Karen was impressed:

Arsenal did not have to wait long for their second goal, as Shkodran Mustafi flicked on Mesut Ozil's corner to Koscielny to head home at the far post.

Everton were in disarray defensively, and Arsenal took full advantage by grabbing a third after just 19 minutes. Ramsey took aim from range, and his shot deflected off Eliaquim Mangala and flew past Pickford.

Everton could have pulled a goal back when Walcott was sent through, but instead of shooting, he opted to check back, which allowed Mustafi to slide in to make a block. Goal's Chris Wheatley showed what it meant to the defender:

Arsenal then poured more misery on Everton by adding a fourth before the break. Again, Mkhitaryan was the creator, slipping in Aubameyang, who dinked the ball over Pickford. It was a great finish by the new signing—who was clearly offside, per football writer Huw Davies:

James Benge of the Evening Standard could not believe the striker's pace:

Everton almost grabbed one back after the break when Walcott crossed for Oumar Niasse, but Niasse was denied by the post. Walcot was then replaced on 61 minutes and was applauded off by both sets of fans, per James Olley at the Evening Standard:

However, the visitors reduced the deficit when Calvert-Lewin headed home Cuco Martina's cross just three minutes later. Arsenal were then also forced into a change, as Petr Cech hobbled off to be replaced by David Ospina.

Arsenal continued to go forward and were rewarded when Mkhitaryan picked out Ramsey in the box, and Ramsey fired home to complete his hat-trick. Mkhitaryan was the first Arsenal player to secure three assists in a league game since 2013:

It was an impressive performance by Arsenal, who looked rejuvenated by their new signings and showed quality in attack. They were helped by an awful Everton showing, as the Toffees afforded their opponents far too much space, but it was a hugely encouraging performance—particularly ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.