Arsenal player ratings: Cedric, Odegaard and Martinelli shine as Tavares fails to impress against poor Toffees

ARSENAL ended the season with a routine victory over a lacklustre Everton.

The Gunners ran out 5-1 winners in their final Premier League match of the 2021/22 campaign, but it wasn’t enough to pip their bitter rivals Tottenham to fourth place.

A first-half penalty from Gabriel Martinelli broke the deadlock in the 27th minute before Eddie Nketiah headed home a second three minutes later.

Second-half strikes from defenders Cedric and Gabriel and a brilliant solo effort from Martin Odegaard wrapped up the points and gave Everton boss Frank Lampard plenty of food for thought for the summer.

Here, SunSport’s Chisanga Malata rates how Arsenal’s stars got on in their latest meeting with the Toffees.

Ramsdale – 6

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Had very little to do throughout the 90 minutes but was calm, cool and collected when called upon.

Cedric – 8

A willing runner up the right flank to provide an auxiliary threat and played some good balls into the box in the first half.

Tracked back well when required to, although those moments were few and far between.

Was rewarded for his efforts in the 56th minute with a beautiful curling effort.

And he put the gloss on a stellar performance with an assist for Gabriel just before the hour mark.

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Holding – 6

A quiet day for the former Bolton man but he marshalled Dominic Calvert-Lewin well when the ball was played into the England international.

Gabriel – 7

Like Holding, the Brazilian had very little to do and was a spectator for large portions of the game.

Was a calm and reassuring presence on the ball when he was in possession.

But he failed to stop the cross from Calvert-Lewin that allowed Donny van de Beek to half the deficit in first-half stoppage time.

He did, however, make amends just before the hour mark with a neat turn and finish inside the 18-yard box.

Tavares – 5

Lively from the outset and provided a good outlet on the left with his rampaging runs forward.

But, as has often been the case this season, his final ball was lacking.

Martinelli – 7

The Brazilian was anonymous for large portions of the game as he struggled to make an impact going forward.

His first notable involvement came in the 20th minute. The striker had a goalbound effort illegally blocked by former Gunner Alex Iwobi in the 22nd minute.

And he made no mistake from the resulting penalty.

Odegaard – 8

As has so often been the case this season, the Norwegian was the conductor of the Arsenal orchestra and the focal point of their forays forward.

The former Real Madrid man effortlessly floated through midfield and was sleek with his passing from the outset.

Rounded off a brilliant performance with a sumptuous solo goal eight minutes before the full-time whistle.

Saka – 6

The England international was lively on the right-wing early doors but struggled to make the type of impact Arsenal fans have become accustomed to seeing.

A lapse of concentration from the winger in the final minutes of the first half put his team-mates in a rare period of trouble.

But he almost redeemed himself a few minutes later with a brilliant run and shot that went agonisingly wide of the far post.

Elneny – 6

The Egyptian sat deep when required but looked to make an impact going forward at every opportunity.

Defensively sound when called upon but wasted a half-chance in the 35th minute.

All in all, he enjoyed a relatively quiet day at the office.

Xhaka – 6

A strong influence in the middle of the park and looked to drive to the Gunners forward at every opportunity.

Tenacious when required to be, although that was seldom the case.

He forced a good save from Asmir Begovic in first-half stoppage time with a strong drive from outside the box.

Nkeitah – 7

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Made some intelligent runs early in the first half but faded out of the match soon thereafter.

But he doubled the visitor’s lead with a nifty header on the half-hour mark.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk