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| Lukaku and Mertesacker going for the ball [Photo Credit: Premierleague.com] |
Everton started off brightly. They were able to tear through the Arsenal defence on multiple occasions throughout the first half. This was rewarded within just 19 minutes. Everton gaining a free-kick and working it well to create space for Gareth Barry in the centre of the field. A fine lofted through ball found it’s way in the direction of a Lukaku header. But a late call from Seamus Coleman flying in at the back post having escaped Ozil to power a header off of the gloves of last seasons Golden Glove winner Wojciech Szczęsny and into the back of the net.
The defence from Arsenal had been poor and was still continuing to be torn apart by both the Everton midfield and attack. Another breakthrough came to Everton in the 45th minute. Romelu Lukaku muscling Mertesacker off the ball and pacing away down the wing. Lukaku slipped the ball through to Naismith who finished the move with no hesitation.
Arsenal fans were left in despair. Looking at a possible repeat of the 3-0 loss last time they were at Goodison things needed to change for Arsenal. With Alexis being replaced by Giroud at half time the nerves began to build for Arsenal. But within one minute of being on the pitch Giroud nearly pulled one back for the Gunners. A cross to the back post from Chamberlain gave Giroud the opportunity but he powered it straight over the bar.
Arsenal’s chances came and went, still unable to find a response. Wenger looked to more substitutes to try and fight a comeback. With the introduction of Santi Cazorla and Joel Campbell to the pitch, the possibility of pulling back the two goals seemed more likely than ever.
In the 83rd minute a small bit of play on the left from Ozil and Cazorla had found Cazorla surging into the Everton box, a ball across the face of goal found Aaron Ramsey between two defenders with him simply touching it in.
Arsenal stepped up their game. And in doing so they brought themselves back into the game. Nacho Monreal showed great pace to keep in a loose cross from the right wing, he then delivered it to the near post finding Olivier Giroud who beat his defender to head it past Time Howard. An unlikely pairing managed to bring it level with the game finishing evenly. An overall poor performance from Arsenal managed to bring a point home for the Gunners. But in future games against the top six, a greater performance will need to be shown.
For Everton this must have been a frustrating experience having gained a fair lead. But this is also a chance to learn from their problems within the final ten minutes with Roberto Martinez commenting that the players “ran out of energy” therefore leading to mistakes being made.
Arsenal on the other hand showed desire in the final moments to earn themselves a point at Goodison. After the loss significant loss last season at Everton this shows that Arsenal do have the ability to gain necessary points against top sides (even if it did take until near the end).
Analysis
Everton
Everton played a very direct play style throughout the game with a total of 47 long passes showing this. With Lukaku and Mirallas as the runners for this style they were able to target the full backs from the long passes. This showed from the second goal for the Toffees with Lukaku being able to turn Mertesacker from a long pass from the Everton box and was able to use his pace to escape the Arsenal defence. Although not being a normal play style for Everton having usually played a passing game a direct route was suited for the game against Arsenal. But they were unable to play a shorter passing style with the likes of Alexis being able to pace from defender to defender without giving up aswell as high pressure from the Arsenal midfield. Everton’s attack seemed to rely on Lukaku, Matinez using his strength and pace to advantage on attacks being able to either pace past defenders or the ability to stay strong whilst holding the ball up for others to join the attack.
Arsenal
Arsenal enjoyed possession throughout the game. But by the end of the first half were unable to register 1 shot on target with all five shots being ineffective. Although in the second half they managed to pick up their shooting, managing to get 3 on target two of which being the goals from Ramsey and Giroud. The decision to bring on Giroud as a replacement for Alexis was a choice questioned by many as it happened. But Giroud’s presence in the box was a strong one, although not scoring all his opportunities he was able to latch on the end of multiple crosses one of which being his goal. Arsenal played especially well down the wings being able to cross the ball into the area 23 times scoring 2 of which showing how effective they were.
Article contributed by: Kieran
Twitter: @FootyAntics
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