Arsenal Player Ratings vs Everton: Myles Lewis-Skelly Robbed by Ref! Trossard Fires, But Title Hopes Take a Hit

Sports football

Arsenal’s clash with Everton at the Emirates was meant to be a confident stride toward Premier League glory, but it ended in controversy and frustration. Despite Leandro Trossard's clinical finishing and a spirited performance from the Gunners, the North London giants were held back, partly by their own lapses, but largely by what fans are calling a shocking refereeing decision against teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Referee Controversy: Injustice for Lewis-Skelly

The moment that has Arsenal fans fuming came late in the second half. Myles Lewis-Skelly, the 17-year-old academy starlet making only his second Premier League appearance, was on the receiving end of what can only be described as a brutal refereeing blunder. A clean, composed challenge in his own box was somehow flagged as a foul, much to the disbelief of players and fans alike.

VAR reviewed it. The stadium held its breath. The decision stood.

Social media exploded. Pundits were split. But for Arsenal fans, it felt like daylight robbery. Lewis-Skelly had been composed and mature all game, and to see his hard work undone by a referee’s questionable call felt like a gut-punch. The resulting penalty shifted momentum completely.

"Myles Lewis-Skelly's been done by the ref, absolute injustice," raged one fan on X (formerly Twitter). "The kid was immense. Deserves better."

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Everton

Despite the controversy, some Gunners shone in the tense encounter. Here’s how the team rated:

Aaron Ramsdale : 6/10
Decent shot-stopping, but distribution was a bit off. Not much he could do about the penalty.
Ben White : 7/10
Solid defensively and offered width going forward. Energetic all match.
Gabriel Magalhães : 6.5/10
Commanding in the air, but a few rash challenges. Could’ve done better organizing the backline.
Myles Lewis-Skelly : 8/10
Unlucky to be the fall guy. Calm under pressure, accurate passing, and intelligent movement. Arsenal have a gem here.
Oleksandr Zinchenko : 6/10
Showed flashes of brilliance but often caught out of position.
Declan Rice : 7.5/10
Won the midfield battles. Tried to rally the team when things got rough.
Martin Ødegaard : 7/10
Looked dangerous in pockets of space, but lacked his usual spark in the final third.
Bukayo Saka : 6.5/10
A quiet night by his standards. Marked tightly, struggled to find rhythm.
Gabriel Martinelli : 6/10
Energetic but lacked end product. Couldn’t break Everton's low block.
Leandro Trossard : 8.5/10
Arsenal's standout performer. Took his goal brilliantly and was a constant threat down the left. If there’s a player forcing Arteta’s hand for more starts, it's Trossard.
Eddie Nketiah 6/10
Ran hard, but didn’t offer much in terms of hold-up play or finishing.

A Title Blow, But Not the Final Chapter

The draw leaves Arsenal trailing Manchester City by two points, with the Citizens having a game in hand. It’s a significant stumble in the title race, especially considering the team's recent form. But there’s still time. Still fire. Still fight.

Mikel Arteta will need to rally his men, but also protect the confidence of young players like Lewis-Skelly, who despite the referee’s injustice, showed the composure and quality of a future star.

Final Whistle

While Leandro Trossard might have staked his claim as Arsenal’s lethal wildcard, it’s the injustice against Myles Lewis-Skelly that will echo through this result. The Gunners must dust themselves off, but fans won’t forget: they weren’t just battling Everton, they were battling the officials too.

What are your thoughts ? please comment below