Everton played without conviction and may rue their lack of drive because Arsenal looked mentally vulnerable, although their defending was solid for most of the day.
Everton dominated possession right from the start but had just one chance in the first half, courtesy of a hesitant Gabriel, although Ospina saved the day.
Arsenal created a couple of opportunities in the first half. Cazorla came close and Giroud headed just wide.
They finally scored, courtesy of an Ozil corner, which Giroud met and redirected into the corner of the goal. It was a much needed goal for Olivier.
In the second half it was Everton who looked more dangerous. Ospina made a great save from Lukaku and had to be called into action on a number of occasions.
Near the end Arsenal finally scored their second. Rosicky’s shot was helped home by a kind deflection from Jagielka. I suppose it’s karma from Wednesday night’s deflection off Mertesacker for Monaco’s first goal.
Player Ratings:
Ospina 8. Bailed out Gabriel in the first half by nicking the ball off Lukaku. In the second half he made a great save off Lukaku, saved from Aaron Lennon, and took a lot of contact from Lukaku in cutting out a cross. His only blip during the game was failing to properly judge the bounce from a cross and having to palm it out for a corner. However, he was my man of the match.
Bellerin 7. A solid outing for Hector. Some of his crosses were excellent, although nobody was there to take advantage. He is playing solid defensively and made a number of good plays.
Gabriel 7. A couple of excellent challenges, particularly his tackle on Lukaku. A hesitant moment was almost punished at the start of the match as was a poor pass in the second. However, he had a very good game.
Koscielny 7. Solid throughout, but he too had a hesitant back pass that left us in a little trouble for awhile.
Gibbs 7. He kept Coleman quiet most of the match and he had a good defensive performance.
Coquelin 7. Yes, he had a couple of giveaways and bad passes, but he broke up a number of attacks, cut out crosses and was strong in the air. His nose is hopefully not broken after he took a couple of blows on it (the first courtesy of Giroud). Any player who sheds as much blood as he did deserves some plaudits.
Cazorla 7. He worked hard, played good defence, and created a few opportunities. He had a couple of shots as well.
Ozil 6. Didn’t retain enough of the ball, losing it a number of times. But he assisted on both of the goals, so even on an off day he can contribute.
Oxlade-Chamberlain 7. Still looks a tad rusty, but he gave us some pace on the wings.
Giroud 7. Could have had a hat trick today. A good goal, a near miss from a difficult header, and a shot blocked by Jagielka’s arm were his best moments of the day.
Sanchez 6. Not that effective on the ball and guilty of a number of giveaways. Looks to be forcing the play sometimes. That said, his defensive efforts are always solid.
Substitutes:
Rosicky 7. Scored a lucky goal, but it was a huge relief when he got it. Gave the team some good effort in the minutes he was out there.
Welbeck n/a. Barely managed a touch in his outing.
Chambers n/a. Came in for Coquelin and helped see out the game.