Dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League, and title hopes hanging by a thread – Arsenal’s season could very well have ended against the dangerous Everton when the two sides clashed at Goodison Park. Everton came into the back of an excellent win against Chelsea that sent them into the FA Cup semi-finals. However, Goodison Park has been far from a fortress this season, and a downbeat Arsenal would still believe they can get the result to stay close to table toppers Leicester City.
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A blistering first half was followed by a tame second, as Arsenal finally notched a win in the Premier League. Goals from Welbeck and Iwobi sealed the points for the Gunners as they pulled away from the chasing pack, as Roberto Martinez’s Everton were left scratching their heads over what has been a start-stop season.
Everton:
Joel Robles - 5/10 – 5/10
Having finally been granted a run in the first team in place of the errant Tim Howard, Robles had a torrid game against a rampant Arsenal side.
Seamus Coleman – 6/10
He set the game off to a flying start with a motoring run, and had a few good moments going ahead. He had a few tense moments with Coquelin and Monreal in the second half, and invited the referee’s caution.
Ramiro Funes Mori – 5.5/10
Funes-Mori’s partnership with Jagielka has managed to keep the much-vaunted John Stones out of the starting lineup. However, he was run ragged by a scintillating Arsenal performance.
Phil Jagielka – 5.5/10
The veteran centre-back has been called up for England’s friendlies against Germany and Holland. He held the shaky backline together; but really should have put away a header.
Leighton Baines – 5.5/10
Everton’s backline was punished in the first half by Arsenal, but Baines got himself in good attacking positions. The England international put in a few good crosses for Lukaku, who was largely starved of service.
James McCarthy – 5/10
Everton truly missed experienced midfielder Gareth Barry, and the midfield pairing of McCarthy and Besic was completely overshadowed by their Arsenal counterparts.
Muhamed Besic – 5/10
Arsenal utterly dominated the first half, and youngster Besic was the casualty. He was hauled off at half-time for John Stones.
Aaron Lennon – 6.5/10
A hardworking performance by the former Tottenham winger, who was arguably one of Everton’s best players on the night.
Ross Barkley – 5.5/10
One missed header apart, Barkley had very little impact on the game, and was replaced by Deulofeu in Everton’s pursuit of a comeback goal.
Tom Cleverley – 5.5/10
Everton’s attack was largely ineffective against Arsenal, and the former Manchester United man did not trouble Hector Bellerin enough.
Romelu Lukaku – 6.5/10
Having made his desire for Champions League games known in midweek, Lukaku could not have an impact on the game, but he was largely starved off service and was forced wide to create chances for teammates.
Substitutes:
John Stones – 6/10 -
The highly sought-after Englishman was brought on at half-time with Martinez shifting his team to a three-man backline.
Gerard Deulofeu – 6/10 -
The stylish former Barcelona man was thrown on to try and change the game in Everton’s favour.
Arsenal:
David Ospina – 6.5/10
The Colombian international played much of the second-half in pain after colliding with Romelu Lukaku but wasn’t put under much pressure by Everton.
Hector Bellerin – 7/10
Birthday boy Bellerin capped off a very good performance by providing an assist for Alex Iwobi.
Gabriel Paulista – 7/10
Gabriel has replaced Per Mertesacker in the lineup and dealt with the strength and pace of Lukaku with aplomb.
Laurent Koscielny – 7/10
It was a tidy performance from the ever-dependable French international.
Nacho Monreal – 7/10
He was always on top of the Everton attack, and with the consistent performances he’s been putting in, Monreal feel hard done to have missed out on a Spain call up.
Francis Coquelin – 7/10 -
Arsenal finally seem to have a solid midfield pairing after losing out Santi Cazorla to injury, and Francis Coquelin has redeemed himself after a rash sending off at Tottenham.
Mohammed Elneny – 7/10 -
The Egyptian has won over Wenger with his phenomenal work rate, and celebrated a good run of form with his first goal for Arsenal against Barcelona midweek.
Alex Iwobi- 7.5/10 -
Just when it appeared that the youngster was struggling to cope with the physicality of the game, he slotted home his first goal for Arsenal. He has made full use of the first team minutes coming his way.
Mesut Ozil – 6.5/10 -
All Arsenal faithful will be having their hearts in their mouth after Ozil was taken off after an ankle injury scare. He is critical to Arsenal’s slim title hopes this season.
Alexis Sanchez – 7/10 -
The Chilean speedster seems to finally be regaining his best form, and assisted the opening goal for Welbeck.
Danny Welbeck- 7.5/10 -
Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand have lamented his exit from United, and performances like these will only lead credence to those opinions. Scored the first goal of the night.
Substitutes:
Kieran Gibbs – 6/10 -
The left-back was brought on for Ozil to add some defensive solidity for the Gunners.
Olivier Giroud –6.5/10 -
Blighted by a goal drought, the Frenchman nearly had a goal for himself, but the referee spotted a foul in the build-up.
Calum Chambers- 6/10 -
Brought on to wind down the clock.
