Arsenal 5 Everton 1: Aaron Ramsey scores first ever hat-trick as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nets dodgy debut goal as Sam Allardyce team buckle


THE Gunners have a PEA Shooter to fire them back to the glory days.

Aaron Ramsey scored a hat-trick but it was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who has PEA emblazoned on his own clothing label – whose name rang out at the Emirates.

Arsenal were on blistering form as they defeated Everton 5-1
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Aaron Ramsey stole the limelight from Aubameyang with his first ever career hat-trick
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He made an impact as quick as one of his eight super-cars back home in his garage, raising the game of his team-mates.

There was Henrikh Mkhitaryan looking a different player to the one at Manchester United and Ramsey smashing in goals from all angles.


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Arsenal’s record signing comes with plenty of baggage but the £56million spent on PEA is money well spent on this evidence.

He went AWOL at times during his goal-laden spell at Borussia Dortmund and was rapped for being late at team meetings.

Laurent Koscielny added a second with a diving header
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Aaron Ramsey’s second goal was a well hit drive
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There are the fast cars, including his £250,000 Lamborghini, the diamond-encrusted football boots and the flashy clothes and hairstyle.

But that will be worth putting up with if there are matches like this.

He barely had a say in Ramsey’s double and Laurent Koscielny that had Arsene Wenger’s side coasting.

Just his presence gave the whole team a boost – a mega-money kick up the backside that this Arsenal team needs.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then opened his Arsenal account
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Aubameyang, 28, is also obsessed with superheroes and could now inspire a rescue act in the second half of the season.

He made sure of a debut goal before the break when he chipped home and has brought a different atmosphere to the Emirates. Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back before Ramsey completed his treble.

Let’s face it, Wenger desperately needed this lift after the midweek humiliation at Swansea.

That was the very worst of Arsenal, lacking backbone and committing crucial errors when a little pressure is applied.

There was still a hangover from that trip to Wales as there were jeers when Petr Cech and Granit Xhaka’s names were read out.

But all was forgotten after their a 20-minute blitz that resulted in three goals.

Some of it was Arsenal at their very best, breaking swiftly and attacking with pace that would trouble any defence.

Replays showed Aubameyang’s goal should have been ruled offside
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Theo Walcott did not enjoy his return to his old club ArsenalWenger’s side may be stuck in sixth place but now there are reasons for hope since the blow of Alexis Sanchez’s departure.

Mesut Ozil has agreed to stay, while ex- Dortmund pair Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan gives them freshness in attack.

“They know each other well of course,” wrote Wenger in his programme notes.

“They had a perfect understanding a couple of years ago.”

And it was the Gunners new arrivals that teed up the first goal, making sure there was no more disappointment after their Liberty Stadium disaster.

Auba set Mkhitaryan off down the right and his cross was turned in by Ramsey – a simple goal that had Sam Allardyce fuming at how easy it was.

Big Sam’s mood did not get any better when his side conceded from a corner.

That should be the hallmark of an Allardyce team – tight marking when they ball gets pumped into the box.

But it was Arsenal players who were switched on from Ozil’s corner.

Shkodran Mustafi flicked on and Koscielny was left alone to nod home with a diving header.

When Ramsey added his fifth of the season it was game over.

This time his shot took a wicked deflection off Eliaquim Mangala and found the roof of the net.

It was a shocking spell of defending from Everton.

Allardyce’s three centre-backs made it look like they were playing for a draw from kick-off, while Mangala appeared a stranger to his team-mates.

Calvert-Lewin got a consolation for Everton who were poor on the day
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Aaron Ramsey sealed his hat-trick before a standing ovation from the Arsenal crowd
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Any of them could have been hooked at half-time but it was Michael Keane that was sacrificed.

By that time Aubameyang had got in on the act with his debut goal.

Mkhitaryan tapped into the understanding they enjoyed at Westfalenstadion by sending him through.

PEA’s run was too quick for the Everton, too quick for the linesman who failed to spot he was offside – but that didn’t matter to the Gabon goal-getter as he chipped over Jordan Pickford to open his Premier League account.

It would be enough to make Manchester City’s backline take note ahead of the EFL Cup final this month.

And it would have been a warning shot to their top-four rivals that they are not going away quietly this season.

Arsenal fans sang his name and had a new hero to worship, while one of their old favourites was having a frustrating evening.

Theo Walcott was given a terrific reception on his return to the club following his £20million move to Goodison.

Petr Cech had to be substituted through injury
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Wenger admitted it was Walcott’s service to the club that meant he was allowed to leave for regular football.

And he almost grabbed a goal when he raced through and had his finish deflected over by Mustafi, who had chased back.

Walcott also provided a delicious cross for Oumar Niasse to hit the post in the second half when inevitably Everton saw a bit more of the action.

It was Walcott’s replacement, Calvert-Lewin, who pulled one back when he nodded home Cuco Martina’s cross.

Another negative on Wenger’s evening was an injury to Cech after a clash with Niasse, with David Ospina coming on.

But Ramsey completed his hat-trick when he side-footed home from another Mkhitaryan cross.


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