Magical Mesut Ozil heaps pressure on Ronald Koeman as Arsenal smash five at Everton

Mesut Ozil scored his first goal of the season and assisted another as Arsenal beat 10-man Everton 5-2 to plunge Ronald Koeman into crisis. The result left Everton languishing in the relegation zone, while Arsenal moved up to fifth place.

Fifteen years ago this week, Wayne Rooney announced himself to the world with a right-footed goal against Arsenal from outside the area at the Park End. History repeated itself as the 31-year-old beat Petr Cech form distance to put the home side ahead, against the run of play. It marked Rooney’s 15 goal against Arsenal, but there were few other positives for the home side.

The Gunners found an equaliser shortly before the break, when Nacho Montreal pounced on a rebounded Granit Xhaka shot from distance. And the home side slowly unravelled in the second half, as Mesut Ozil converted a superb glancing header to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

Ashley Williams was substituted to prevent a second-half red card, but the same action wasn’t taken for Idrissa Gueye, who received his marching orders for a cynical tackle on Granit Xhaka 20 minutes from time. Alexandre Lacazette proceeded to score his first away goal in the league by taking advantage of some slack defending and the Toffees failed to pick up Aaron Ramsey’s run for the Gunners’ fourth of the afternoon.

Oumar Niasse earned a late consolation for the home side when latching on to a questionable Monreal backpass, but by that point, much of the stadium had emptied out. Few Evertonians, therefore, witnessed Alexis Sanchez dance around the edge of the area before scoring Arsenal’s fifth of the afternoon.

Can Ronald Koeman survive this defeat? There may not be any shame in losing to a resplendent Arsenal side, but the manner of this defeat was telling for Everton. They lacked a defensive plan — particularly in the second half — and his player selections might also be called into question. It seems unlikely the Dutchman will be on Merseyside much longer.

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal): Jordan Pickford deserves credit for only conceding five goals in this encounter — it could have been much more — but the afternoon belongs to Ozil, who finished the match with a goal, an assist and eight chances created.

Arsenal: Cech 5, Bellerin 7, Mertesacker 6, Koscielny 7, Monreal 8, Kolasinac 5, Ramsey 8, Xhaka 7, Ozil 9, Sanchez 9, Lacazette 7. Subs: Coquelin 5, Wilshere 6.

Everton: Pickford 8, Keane 6, Williams 5, Jagielka 5, Kenny 5, Gueye 5, Vlasic 6, Baines 6, Sigurdsson 5, Rooney 6, Calvert-Lewin 7. Subs: Niasse 6, Davies 6, Lookman 7.

12' - GOAL: History repeats itself as Rooney finds the net from distance! Xhaka is dispossessed by Gueye just outside the area and Rooney picks it up to put away a wonderful long range effort.

40' - GOAL: Xhaka shoots low from 25 yards and Pickford parries it to Monreal's feet. The Spaniard converts at the near-post with his first touch.

53' - GOAL: Arsenal counter from Vlasic's chance with rapid pace. Sanchez charges down the left and chips the ball straight onto Ozil's head. A superb piece of football finished off by the German.

69' - RED CARD: Gueye gets his second yellow for a cynical late challenge on Xhaka. This one has been coming for a while.

74' - GOAL: Vlasic gives away the ball to Ozil cheaply. The German puts in a cross to Lacazette who makes no mistake in hitting the target.

90' - GOAL: Wilshere picks up a run from Ramsey, who slots past Pickford with his first touch. This is a rout.

90+3' - GOAL: A consolation for Everton as Monreal passes back to Cech and Niasse intercepts. A terrible defensive error.

90+5' - GOAL: Sanchez gets his goal! The Chilean is allowed to dance around the edge of the area, beating three men before his right-footed shot sails past Pickford.