Three days on from a feisty European tie, Goodison convened again with a crowd more hopeful than expectant. Desperate for a win to buoy his side back from the bottom half of the table, Ronald Koeman aimed for an 'ugly win', and that is exactly what the Toffees set out to do.
The Gunners travelled north to build on their midweek Europa League win, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette all starting for the very first time. And the attacking trio linked up from the off to pile on the chances around the goal defended by Pickford, whose figure was exalted in contrast with Everton's passive back line.
The fluid passing from the Gunners granted Aaron Ramsey an early opening which was tipped away by the keeper, who then denied Lacazette at point blank range. Against the run of play, Everton took the lead with their first chance of the game, and just like that, the visitors went from a potential three-goal lead in the opening nine minutes, to chasing Koeman's side.
15 years after shocking Arsenal with a superb strike, Wayne Rooney fired his team ahead from distance. Granit Xhaka was dispossessed by Gueye, before the former England captain curled the ball into the far left corner from 20 yards.
Arsene Wenger's men were understandably stunned with the turnaround, but still battled forward in search of an equaliser. Their attacks were mostly dealt with by the Toffees, pinned inside their own half. However, after 40 minutes, Pickford made his first mistake of the game which led to the equaliser. Xhaka's deflected effort from 30 yards was saved by ther keeper but it spilt into the path of Monreal, who volleyed inside the near post.
Arsenal's pressure continued after the break and they found their reward with a deserved goal. Lacazette found Sanchez on the left and the Chilean cut inside. He spotted the run of Ozil inside the area and dinked a teasing ball for the German to head past Pickford.
Everton were unable to respond while Wenger's team continued to push forward. An atmosphere of resignation took over Goodison Park before another masterful example of counterattacking football saw the visitors score a third. Sanchez released Ozil down the right and the ball was squared into the middle for Lacazette to clamly fire home.
Xhaka stuck his laces through the ball to rattle the bar before the game entered a chaotic final stage. Ramsey grabbed Arsenal's fourth, after Wilshere fed a lovely ball through ball for the Welshman to send a composed finish to the goakeeper's right.
Oumar Niasse looked to score the consolation goal in stoppage time after a weak backpass from Monreal allowed the striker to muscle Cech off the ball, but there was still time for the icing on the cake and the cherry on top for the Gunners. Sanchez ran across the face of the goal before firing into the bottom left corner and get his name on the scoresheet.
After a highly entertaining encounter and an inspiring performance from the visitors, Arsenal move up to sixth, while Koeman's woes are furthered as Everton slip into the bottom three for the first time this season.