Aubameyang Brace Sinks Everton, Giving Arsenal Champions League Hope

23rd February 2020

With second-placed Manchester City banned from European competitions for the next two years, as it stands finishing fifth could secure Champions League action pending the result of City's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta (C) gives instructions to Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (L) and Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2L) on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 23, 2020. PHOTO | AFP
Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta (C) gives instructions to Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (L) and Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2L) on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 23, 2020. PHOTO | AFP
SUMMARY
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang boosted Arsenal's hopes of gate-crashing the race to reach the Champions League as his double clinched a 3-2 win against Everton on Sunday
  • For much of a troubled season Arsenal have been written off as also-rans in the battle to qualify for Europe's elite club competition.
  • The Gunners are now unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, including seven without defeat in the league after a second successive victory

LONDON, United Kingdom- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang boosted Arsenal's hopes of gate-crashing the race to reach the Champions League as his double clinched a 3-2 win against Everton on Sunday.

For much of a troubled season Arsenal have been written off as also-rans in the battle to qualify for Europe's elite club competition.

But, recovering from the wreckage of the Unai Emery era, their revival under Mikel Arteta is gathering pace.

Rocked by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-minute goal at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal equalised through Eddie Nketiah and took the lead thanks to Aubameyang.

Richarlison levelled for Everton to cap a dramatic first half, but Gabon striker Aubameyang had the final word seconds after the break.

Arsenal climbed above Everton into ninth place and sit four points behind fifth-placed Manchester United.

With second-placed Manchester City banned from European competitions for the next two years, as it stands finishing fifth could secure Champions League action pending the result of City's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

There is growing belief at Arsenal that they could take advantage of the punishment for Arteta's former club.

The Gunners are now unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, including seven without defeat in the league after a second successive victory.

Everton must recover quickly to avoid their own European hopes being dashed after a first defeat in six league games