By Connor Armstrong at Meadow Park
SUMMARY
A young Arsenal side lost 5-0 to table-topping Everton at Meadow Park on Monday night.
The visitors made a fast start when Kieran Dowell found the net after just four minutes, before adding a second goal through Liam Walsh's free-kick at the start of the second half.
Oumar Niasse added a third with a tap-in from inside the six-yard box as the hosts continued to endure a difficult evening.
The Toffees wrapped up the scoring with substitute Callum Dyson scoring a brace, heading past Hugo Keto for his first before stroking the ball at the end of a team move.
SETTING THE SCENE
With a handful of under-23 regulars expected to be involved in the first-team's EFL Cup squad against Nottingham Forest, there were a number of fresh faces in action.
Tolaji Bola started at left back, with Savvas Mourgos handed a start in front of him on the left wing.
Emile Smith-Rowe started on the right flank, with Eddie Nketiah spearheading the Arsenal attack after signing his first professional contract on Friday.
Keto continued in goal, with Joao Virginia among the substitutes.
FIRST HALF
Everton came into the game as league leaders, and immediately stormed into an early lead.
Dowell found the back of the net in the fourth minute, having drifted in from the left flank.
The Toffees went close again when Senegal international Niasse twisted and turned before sending an effort over Keto’s crossbar.
Niasse went closer still shortly before half-time, when he glanced a fast-paced cross just inches wide of the far post.
SECOND HALF
The start of the second half mirrored that of the first, with the visitors finding the net from a Walsh free-kick.
The Toffees soon added a third when Niasse was in the right place at the right time to tap home from close range.
Dyson then stepped off the Everton bench to head home the fourth goal of the game with his first touch.
He then grabbed his second goal of the evening, sweeping home from inside the area after a swift passing move.
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