Premier League 2018-19: 3 reasons why Arsenal lost to Everton

#1 An off day for Arsenal's wing-backs

Maitland Niles is a promising young talent, but he failed to keep Bernard silent last night, who caused immense trouble through the left flank

Arsenal's most attack-minded player Sead Kolasinac was probably Arsenal's worst performer yesterday, only behind Ainsley Maitland Niles, who played as a right wing-back. In recent weeks, Emery has shifted to a 3-man defence in order to give his wing-backs room and freedom to attack. The wing-backs have been confidence going forward, but yesterday was not their day.

Kolasinac and Niles provided zero attacking options down the wings as Everton's wingers always kept them on the back foot. They failed to provide an impact, and as a result, Alexandre Lacazette was completely isolated up front.

Hector Bellerin and Kolasinac have provided to 10 assists in the league this season playing as wing-backs/full-backs, a stat only bettered by Liverpool's Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who have a total of 16 assists to their name. This tells us that Emery's football relies heavily on the performances of his full-backs/wing-backs. But nothing went their way last night.

Emery and his staff have a plethora of problems to solve as they have to play Watford and Wolves in their next two Premier League away games, and the results of those matches could significantly have an effect on their hopes of playing Champions League football next season.