Saka has been making a point of keeping some white paint on his boots out on the right flank, he’s stretching the pitch for his side, and of course has been an early outlet for them.
But he’s not really had the opportunity to show off his fast feet this afternoon, and Mykolenko has been watching him like a hawk – but how long can he keep it up.
Mikel Arteta can be heard barking orders at his side already, with Everton showing a bit of bite as they look to breathe new life into their club with their new manager.
Saka is down holding his face now after a coming together with Gana – complete accident but looked pretty painful.
It already looks like a much harder task for those Arsenal players than most of us would have thought before kick-off.
Martinelli evades Coleman for once and feeds Zinchenko on the edge of the box, but the cross is poor and bobbles to Pickford at his near post.
Saka makes a good run down the right and feeds Nketiah in the box, before Partey has a strike from range that bounces just before the England No 1, but Pickford recovers to smother the danger.
Onana is back up and running and we can continue here at Goodison.
McNeil is the latest to pinch the ball as Arsenal play out, and Calvert-Lewin narrowly loses a race with Ramsdale for the ball as Everton get a good first chance.
Offside, but we play on and it’s Arsenal who can take it forward.
What a start from Everton – can they continue in this way? It’s been great energy from the hosts, something that the fans have been clamouring for for most of the season so far.
Saliba’s pass out the back is sloppy and Doucoure cuts out well to spark an early attack from the hosts.
They hold onto the ball after reaching as far as the penalty area, but Ben White heads clear a cross.
Everton don’t look like threatening seriously just yet, but their energetic state has been a bit of a shock to the Gunners.
The crowd are loving every change of pace from their side at the moment, as Coleman tracks back well to keep the considerably younger and more spritely Martinelli quiet.
Mykolenko has started the game brilliantly and this time it’s Saka he doggedly pursues.
Both full-backs in fact have been good for the hosts, with Coleman again stopping Martinelli.
Everton foray forward again through Iwobi – playing against his former club of course – and Arsenal are drawn into more defending.
Onana takes a blow as Arsenal clear the long ball – collision of heads with Saliba – and the game halts.