Two goals in three minutes were enough for Arsenal to down Everton.

Marco Silva’s side started brightly at the Emirates Stadium with their pressure causing errors to a hosts’ defence insistent on playing out from goalkeeper Petr Cech.

But the Blues found themselves behind just a quarter of an hour after the half-time interval courtesy of a curling Alexandre Lacazette effort.

That was followed a matter of minutes later by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who prodded home to condemn the visitors to back-to-back defeats.

Here were the key talking points from the Emirates:

Silva goes back to the drawing board

 

After consecutive defeats, Marco Silva now has his work cut out at Everton.

A positive start has produced just one win from the Blues’ opening six games with the side yet to be tested by the quality of last season’s top four.

Clashes with Fulham and Leicester City will be telling for the Portuguese coach showing his abilities to blend defensive solidity with attacking prowess.

A Carabao Cup tie with Southampton may prove a welcome distraction but it will be interesting to note whether he uses the game to try out alternatives to his starting XI.

Blues’ creative trio need to do more

 

In successive transfer windows, Everton signed players to operate behind a lone striker.

Richarlison, Theo Walcott and Gylfi Sigurdsson all bring a creativity, directness and pace this combination brings is a real positive for Silva’s current charges.

For the first half at the Emirates, they were able to find gaps in the Arsenal defence that should have been converted into a lead they could take into the break.

When the game escaped them after the interval, however, players who should have been the catalyst for a fightback, were hidden in plain sight.

Silva will need to get more out of his attacking three over a full 90 minutes to ensure that their transfer value was not a case of more wasted money.

Wanted: a new No.9

 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s starring role in place of Cenk Tosun shows that the Everton manager is seeking alternatives to his main attacking outlet.

While his running and movements are well-intentioned, the 21-year-old lacks the interplay required with his teammates to create openings that will lead to goals.

Similarly Tosun may offer a physical presence in holding the ball up and prove a handful for defences but his efforts in front of goal have lacked the quality required.

Moving Richarlison into a more central role may be one alternative option for Silva while a renewed January transfer search, though not ideal, is another.

Digne showing promise and value

 

Everton’s summer influx from Barcelona is already having a positive impact.

With Yerry Mina nor Andre Gomes yet to be involved this season, Lucas Digne has caught the eye in his forged link with Richarlison down the left-hand side.

The France international not only brings a good defensive work with battling effort earning him a booking, but he is also able to provide attacking options.

Overlapping for crosses and quality from set pieces, forcing a good save from Petr Cech in the first half, Digne appears to be recapturing his peak form.

Silva will be hoping that Mina and Gomes will show those same determined levels as their former Nou Camp cohort when finally available.