Gunners pick up 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal have gone top of the Premier League table thanks to a 2-1 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
The Gunners have been in red-hot form in recent weeks, picking up impressive wins away at Leicester City and Watford, as well as beating both Manchester United and Bayern Munich at home.
As for Everton, they were coming off a 3-0 home loss to Manchester United and wanted to bounce back with victory over Arsenal for the first time away from home.
However the game was out of the Toffees‘ hands after an emphatic spell from Arsenal just before the 40-minute mark.
Olivier Giroud started ahead of Theo Walcott up front for Arsene Wenger‘s side and he rewarded the Frenchman with a goal after 36-minutes.
Mesut Ozil‘s pinpoint cross meeting the striker’s head who looped the ball over the advancing Tim Howard.
The hosts didn’t have to wait long to celebrate a second when Laurent Koscielny also headered home past Howard after Santi Cazorla‘s perfect free-kick.
Everton grabbed a lifeline just before half-time when Ross Barkley‘s long-range shot was deflected in off Gabriel Paulista, but it wasn’t enough for Roberto Martinez‘s men.
It looked like they were going to go away with a point in the second-half however when Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu came close, but the Belgian hit the crossbar with a header and the Spaniard was denied by Petr Cech.
At the other end, Giroud also hit the crossbar, while Mathieu Flamini missed a golden-chance to wrap up all three points.
2-1 was how it stayed and it’s a result that puts Arsenal top for the time being on 22 points, with Everton 10th on 13 points.
Match Reaction
Arsenal’s opening scorer Olivier Giroud reacts to the win:“When we are attacking we need to finish the action. We knew they played wll on the break and we were aware but their goal was a bit lucky because it deflected. It’s nice to win this kind of game after a Champions League game.
On being chosen ahead of Theo Walcott: “The main thing is the team is doing well. That’s the best thing for me. As long as we are winning I am pleased with that. Me and Theo have a good understanding. He was in good form, now it’s me, so we try and bring our small cam to the big machine.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez: “I thought we shot ourselves in the foot in giving away such an easy two-goal lead. Arsenal were not creating any real threat. But I very much enjoyed the reaction – the personality and desire of wanting to get back.
“There’s two important moments in the second half Petr Chech makes a save and Romelu Lukaku heads against the crossbar. There are many positives but clearly on the other side is giving up a soft two-goal lead.
“We’re very concerned about Phil Jagielka. It’s a knee injury – we don’t the extent of it, but that’s the biggest negative today.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
