Beleaguered Everton manager Ronald Koeman was left clinging on to his job after they slipped into the Premier League's relegation zone with a 5-2 home defeat to Arsenal.
No wins in their last five matches, just two victories in the last 13, eight points from nine games and only six league goals add up to a whole host of problems for the Dutchman.
Even Wayne Rooney's recreation of his famous breakthrough goal as a precocious 16-year-old against the same opposition and in the same Goodison Park net to give Everton an unexpected early lead could not mask the issues the Toffees face.
It was an advantage they never looked like holding as Nacho Monreal equalised just before the break with Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette - after Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off - and Aaron Ramsey hammering more nails into Koeman's coffin.
Substitute Oumar Niasse pulled one back thanks to poor defending but fittingly Alexis Sanchez had the final say with the last kick of the game as Arsenal's eased to a first away win of the season.
Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Williams, Jagielka, Baines, Sigurdsson, Gueye, Vlasic, Rooney, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Joel, Mirallas, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Davies, Lookman
Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Xhaka, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette
Subs:
Wenger on Ozil
Wenger has some high praises for Ozil.
The Frenchman has been talking to Sky Sports.
I would say yes. I told him after the game that a fit Ozil is completely different.
If you’re not 100% at your best, no matter how good you are, you are at a handicap.
The difference is that he has worked extremely hard physically. When he’s in that shape physically, nobody can question his class or the quality of his game.
Ronald Koeman on his future
Ronald Koeman talks about his future to Sky Sports.
I feel like the players are still behind me but I don’t know as I have 28 players I cant keep them all happy.
That is normal that is football. We have played against the top five of Premier League last season already this season.
This is not a position which is good for Everton. I have worked a long time in football.
I don’t think it is too late.
It is not the time to start being crazy. We lost 5-2 which is a big result. We will see what happens.
7 potential replacements for Ronald Koeman as pressure grows on Everton boss following Arsenal loss
Despite taking the lead through Wayne Rooney at Goodison Park, Everton ended up on the receiving end of a 5-2 hammering by Arsenal on Sunday, increasing the pressure on Ronald Koeman.
Nacho Monreal, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez all struck for the visitors to leave the home fans distraught, with Koeman believed to be edging closer to the exit door despite the vast amount he spent on players in the summer.
Koeman is still clinging on, but thoughts have turned to just who his replacement could be at Goodison Park should he soon depart.
With a look at the odds and the men available, here are seven potential names in the frame.
Mesut Ozil reacts
And here is what Ozil had to say to Sky Sports.
At the end of the day I am happy to win the game.
We knew the difficulty in Everton.
We showed character and we believed in ourselves.
In training we always show quality together and today it showed from started to end.
We were unlucky in front of goal then we showed quality in the second half.
Per Mertesacker reacts
Mertesacker has spoken to Sky Sports.
We started really well, to go 1-0 behind was difficult but we suck to he game plan and we executed better on the second half.
It was crucial we had Mesut today.
I think you could sense it from the side we never lacked chances.
Even when we were 1-0 down we stuck together.
We knew Everton were under pressure and we took advantage.
The way we handled the situation away from home was magnificent.
To man of the match Mesut Ozil
You deserved this.
GOAL! ARSENAL!
GOAL! EVERTON!
GOAL! ARSENAL!
Lacazette goal in pics
Arsenal are clear now and there appears no way back for Everton.
The goal itself was as easy as you like.
Plenty of space on the flanks, cut back and emphatic finish in the box.
GOAL! ARSENAL!
Koeman pressure
Ronald Koeman ditched Southampton for Everton just over a year ago to help his career prospects.
The opposite has happened.
The Everton fan sitting next to me says “he has to go after this.”
This he is right on this occasion.
Dead man walking at this point.
Ozil goal in pics
A lot of this goal is down to the genius of Alexis Sanchez.
Top wing play from Sanchez, some lax defending and a top header.
And it is 2-1.
Arsenal have turned it around.
GOAL! ARSENAL!
Second half
Back underway after the break.
Can anyone get a winner?
Both teams desperately need the three points.
"Drop him forever Arsene!" Arsenal fans slaughter Granit Xhaka after error leads to Wayne Rooney goal
He wasn’t a popular man after last weekend’s defeat to Watford, and things haven’t exactly got any better for Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss midfielder failed to track Tom Cleverley for the goal that won the Hornets that game at Vicarage Road, and he was at it again against Everton at Goodison Park.
Just 12 minutes had elapsed in the game when Xhaka lost possession to Idrissa Gueye after being found by Per Mertesacker, and although plenty in Arsenal’s black shirts were appealing for a foul, Wayne Rooney didn’t hang around.
And when Rooney’s fine effort found the net, it wasn’t long before fingers were being pointed at the same man.
Sorry, Granit.
Monreal goal pics
Powerful finish from Monreal there.
He hadn’t scored since 2013 before this season.
Now he has two goals in nine appearance.
GOAL! ARSENAL!
Out of nothing the Gunners are level.
Pickford gets down well to block a long range blast.
But Monreal is in the box to pounce.
Really good finish from the Spaniard.
Ronald Koeman
So far, so good for Koeman.
Rooney saved his job with a last gasp penalty against Brighton last week.
And the former Manchester United man could help stay his execution again this afternoon.
There is almost a smile on the Dutchman’s face for the first time in a while...
Arsenal frustrations
Arsenal started like a lit rocket but since the goal have fizzled out.
The home side are well on top and look the more likely to grab the second goal.
Jordan Pickford has been brilliant when called upon so far.
A trio of excellent early saves have kept Everton in this.
Stat attack
Arsenal must hate facing Wayne Rooney.
No player has scored more goals against the Gunners than anyone else in the Premier League.
Odds on another goal this afternoon?
Rooney goal in pictures
On the replay it shows just how much time he had.
Mertesacker stood off and off Rooney to just let him shoot.
With Xhaka’s error earlier in the move, it was a shocking goal to concede.
Still a stunning strike.
GOAL! EVERTON
15 years almost to the day since the first time he did it, Rooney has pinged a world class strike against Arsenal again.
Same end and everything.
Only differences are other side of the pitch and it is Cech in goal rather than Seaman.
Underway
Arsenal the better side in the early stages.
Pickford forced into an early save to deny Ramsey.
Already looking tough for Everton.
Everton warm up
Everton are going through their pre-match preparations.
Wayne Rooney is back after he was rested against Lyon.
Jonjoe Kenny is making his first Premier League start.
Bill Kenwright arrives
Moshiri AND chairman Bill Kenwright are at Goodison Park this afternoon.
Could be some tricky conversations if the Toffees don’t managed to gather a point.
Here is Kenwright arriving...
Farhad Moshiri at Goodison
Is this a bad sign for Ronald Koeman?
Farhad Moshiri is watching the match live today.
Could that mean the Dutchman will be sacked after the match if they don’t win?
Fans arriving
The fans are starting to meander into Goodison Park.
Two teams under a bit of pressure from their supports.
Can they win them around this afternoon?
Arsenal team news
Everton team news
Team news
Arsene Wenger has received a triple fitness boost ahead of Sunday’s clash at Everton.
The Gunners make the trip to Merseyside following last weekend’s dismal defeat to Watford, although they did win in Belgrade on Thursday.
And they will be boosted by the return of Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny, reports Football.London.
Sanchez and Ramsey missed last weekend’s shock defeat at Watford after being left out of the squad with Arsene Wenger citing muscle fatigue following their exertions on international duty with Chile and Wales, respectively.
Koscielny started at Vicarage Road, but was forced off with an apparent achilles problem.