Arsenal had been beaten by Monaco at the Emirates which led to a huge outlash of frustration by fans as usual calling for the manager's head. Confidence in the team was expected to be at an all time low.
A lot of changes were expected due to the dismal performance by the team in the Champions League. 1 player most Arsenal fans wanted dropped was Mertesacker who has disappointed on more than one occasion this season. Giroud and Welbeck along with Ospina were also expected to be dropped.
Ospina did start though with the defence having one change from the team that had lost to Monaco, Gabriel started in the Premier League for the first time, in place of Mertesacker much to the relief of the Arsenal faithful.
The midfield trio was the same as in the game against Monaco, Ozil and Cazorla with Coquelin. Welbeck was dropped for Oxlade Chamberlain and Sanchez continued in the team, looking to score after a goal drought that consisted of 6 games. Giroud did start looking to atone his misses against Monaco.
1ST HALF
Everton started the more confident team as was expected given they had a better midweek performance. Plenty of possession but nothing to show for it.
The first notable chance fell to Lukaku after an error in judgement by Gabriel left Lukaku one on one against Ospina. Ospina did tremendously well to come out as quick as he did to make an initial save and then a fantastic slide tackle to deny the Belgian completely.
Arsenal's first chance fell to Giroud, after Alexis put in a low cross that the Frenchman quiet bravely attempted a diving header that just missed the target. Hector Bellerin then tried an attempt with his left leg after being passed to by Ozil. Jagielka blocked the shot.
Arsenal were slowly gaining confidence and it was shown in the passes. Arsenal did take the lead from a set piece yet again as Giroud finished brilliantly into the bottom corner after an Ozil corner. Cazorla soon had the chance to double the lead but Howard saved spectacularly.
It was a good end to the half that surely would have given the team some much needed confidence.
2ND HALF
Everton again started the better team with some set pieces which did not trouble Ospina too much. Barry and Mirallas had attempts blocked off among the set pieces.
That pressure was alleviated when Giroud showed great strength to shrug off Jagielka to fire in a shot that hit the Jagielka on the hand, and Ozil had an attempt from distance that was off target.
But Everton were largely in control, and Ospina made a great save with his fingertips to deny Lukaku after the striker had met Ross Barkley's cross with a swing of his left boot. Coquelin fought on like a warrior after initially injuring his nose with a collision with Giroud and later trying to head the ball and instead nosing it. He had to be subbed off.
Ozil yet again found a pass nobody else could see. He took away 4 defenders with a pass to Rosicky when there were so many easier passes to make. Rosicky took a shot which had a deflection of Jagielka into the goal.
A much needed win, that no doubt will boost the confidence of the players with the big tie at Old Trafford coming soon.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (8.5): Made 2 important saves and both excellent ones as well. Looked very assured and a much needed confidence booster after a poor game in Monaco.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Showed his attacking prowess through out the game and did well defensively as well.
5: Gabriel Paulista (7.5): Showed signs of carelessness in the match whilst at the same time showing why he was brought to the squad with some fantastic interceptions. Who can forget that goal saving tackle against Lukaku? Stuck in my head still!
6: Laurent Koscielny (7.5): Was alert to danger on most occasions and had a good game.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6.5): Did much better although was not his usual self in an attacking sense.
34: Francis Coquelin (7.5): Was back to his usual, making some important interceptions and tackles. Broke his nose during the game and still continued for a while, says a lot about his bravery.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Made a lot of passes and covered ground, was fundamental in most attacks. Shooting was wayward though.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6.5): No goals in 7 now. Showed some neat footwork early on, but did not cause too much problems otherwise. Might need some rest.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.5): Was understandably not upto speed as he was just returning from an injury. Did have some impressive dribbles even then.
11: Mesut Ozil (8): 2 assists and that pass to Rosicky was absolutely brilliant.
12: Olivier Giroud (7.5): Scored a good goal and just cannot blame his work ethic.
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (7.5): Scored a good goal and that fantastic tackle running from one flank to another. Great stuff Tommy.
23: Danny Welbeck (N/A): Hardly had time to make an impact.
21: Calum Chambers (N/A): Came on late on for Coquelin.
HIGHLIGHTS
A lot of changes were expected due to the dismal performance by the team in the Champions League. 1 player most Arsenal fans wanted dropped was Mertesacker who has disappointed on more than one occasion this season. Giroud and Welbeck along with Ospina were also expected to be dropped.
Ospina did start though with the defence having one change from the team that had lost to Monaco, Gabriel started in the Premier League for the first time, in place of Mertesacker much to the relief of the Arsenal faithful.
The midfield trio was the same as in the game against Monaco, Ozil and Cazorla with Coquelin. Welbeck was dropped for Oxlade Chamberlain and Sanchez continued in the team, looking to score after a goal drought that consisted of 6 games. Giroud did start looking to atone his misses against Monaco.
1ST HALF
Everton started the more confident team as was expected given they had a better midweek performance. Plenty of possession but nothing to show for it.
The first notable chance fell to Lukaku after an error in judgement by Gabriel left Lukaku one on one against Ospina. Ospina did tremendously well to come out as quick as he did to make an initial save and then a fantastic slide tackle to deny the Belgian completely.
Arsenal's first chance fell to Giroud, after Alexis put in a low cross that the Frenchman quiet bravely attempted a diving header that just missed the target. Hector Bellerin then tried an attempt with his left leg after being passed to by Ozil. Jagielka blocked the shot.
Arsenal were slowly gaining confidence and it was shown in the passes. Arsenal did take the lead from a set piece yet again as Giroud finished brilliantly into the bottom corner after an Ozil corner. Cazorla soon had the chance to double the lead but Howard saved spectacularly.
It was a good end to the half that surely would have given the team some much needed confidence.
2ND HALF
Everton again started the better team with some set pieces which did not trouble Ospina too much. Barry and Mirallas had attempts blocked off among the set pieces.
That pressure was alleviated when Giroud showed great strength to shrug off Jagielka to fire in a shot that hit the Jagielka on the hand, and Ozil had an attempt from distance that was off target.
But Everton were largely in control, and Ospina made a great save with his fingertips to deny Lukaku after the striker had met Ross Barkley's cross with a swing of his left boot. Coquelin fought on like a warrior after initially injuring his nose with a collision with Giroud and later trying to head the ball and instead nosing it. He had to be subbed off.
Ozil yet again found a pass nobody else could see. He took away 4 defenders with a pass to Rosicky when there were so many easier passes to make. Rosicky took a shot which had a deflection of Jagielka into the goal.
A much needed win, that no doubt will boost the confidence of the players with the big tie at Old Trafford coming soon.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (8.5): Made 2 important saves and both excellent ones as well. Looked very assured and a much needed confidence booster after a poor game in Monaco.
39: Hector Bellerin (7): Showed his attacking prowess through out the game and did well defensively as well.
5: Gabriel Paulista (7.5): Showed signs of carelessness in the match whilst at the same time showing why he was brought to the squad with some fantastic interceptions. Who can forget that goal saving tackle against Lukaku? Stuck in my head still!
6: Laurent Koscielny (7.5): Was alert to danger on most occasions and had a good game.
3: Kieran Gibbs (6.5): Did much better although was not his usual self in an attacking sense.
34: Francis Coquelin (7.5): Was back to his usual, making some important interceptions and tackles. Broke his nose during the game and still continued for a while, says a lot about his bravery.
19: Santi Cazorla (7.5): Made a lot of passes and covered ground, was fundamental in most attacks. Shooting was wayward though.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6.5): No goals in 7 now. Showed some neat footwork early on, but did not cause too much problems otherwise. Might need some rest.
15: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.5): Was understandably not upto speed as he was just returning from an injury. Did have some impressive dribbles even then.
11: Mesut Ozil (8): 2 assists and that pass to Rosicky was absolutely brilliant.
12: Olivier Giroud (7.5): Scored a good goal and just cannot blame his work ethic.
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (7.5): Scored a good goal and that fantastic tackle running from one flank to another. Great stuff Tommy.
23: Danny Welbeck (N/A): Hardly had time to make an impact.
21: Calum Chambers (N/A): Came on late on for Coquelin.
HIGHLIGHTS