Barclays Premier League: Arsenal 0-0 Everton

Arsenal and Everton played out a goalless draw yesterday night, a result that  does little to boost either sides hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

It was a feisty affair and the first half saw both sides struggle to create many opportunities. Steven Pienaar wasted a golden opportunity to put his side in front after just seven minutes, when the South African international skied his shot over the bar.

Arsenal’s first real chance came when Kieran Gibbs saw his shot go over about 25 minutes into the game following a poor clearance from Marouane Fellaini.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, but it was a game that was fierecly contested. Both teams wanted the win as it would help them in the Champions League qualification fight. Darron Gibson was lucky to stay on the pitch after a foul on Theo Walcott shortly after he had just been booked. Jack Wilshere had a sore ankle following a challenge with Ross Barkley, so Everton weren’t afraid to put their foot in, show a dirty side to their game.

Ross Barkley had a long-range effort comfortably dealt with by the returning Wojciech Szczesny and Victor Anichebe would have probably scored but for a crucial block from Kieran Gibbs that took away the pace on the shot so Szczesny was able to save it.

Arsenal’s best chance of the half came when a brilliant ball from Aaron Ramsey was met by the sliding Olivier Giroud, but unfortunately that took his effort away from goal. Santi Cazorla also went close just before the break too.

Half time came and the game would have to be a lot better if either side were to find a winner. There was a moment of drama as the two teams came off the pitch at half time. Kevin Mirallas squirted some drink on Jack Wilshere, trying to play it off as an accident, but Wilshere was having none of that and it provoked a reaction from Wilshere as they entered the Emirates tunnel.

Cazorla tested Howard after the break and Giroud curled the ball over as Arsenal started the second half brightly.

Arsenal nearly caught Everton out on the break after a Leighton Baines free-kick hit the wall and Walcott sprinted away from the Everton defenders and nearly set up Giroud for a goal.

Barkley again went close to scoring when his curling effort went just wide of the mark. It was very close to being a superb finish from the youngster.

Arsenal’s substitutes helped turn the game around for them last weekend against Norwich and Arsene Wenger sent on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski with just over 20 minutes to go.

Everton responded by bringing on Nikica Jelavic in place of the impressive Barkley five minutes later.

Substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain burst clear on the right and sent in a cross that looked destined to fall to the feet of Giroud, but Seamus Coleman cleared it away just in the nick of time.

It was one of those days for Giroud as he blasted over the best chance Arsenal had before the final whistle again. Anything else that the Gunners threw at the Everton defence was dealt with too as Everton held on towards the end.

It just wasn’t Olivier Giroud’s night last night.

What struck me was the lack of urgency from Arsenal late on. Yes they can still qualify for the Champions League without winning yesterday, but a win would have been huge. 4 minutes were added on and in the 5th minute of stoppage time, presumably added on because of Everton’s last minute substitutions, the Gunners didn’t up the tempo, in fact they passed the ball back to Szczesny a fair few times in stoppage time, something that certainly frustrated me.