Arsenal Vs Everton: Recap, Highlights And Analysis

Arsenal travelled to Merseyside to face a struggling Everton side on Tuesday. Here’s the full recap, all the highlights and analysis from the

Away games are never easy in the Premier League games, even against teams that have only amassed seven points in their last ten games, winning just one of them. Arsenal travelled to Merseyside in fine fettle, unbeaten since the opening day of the season, intent on moving top of the table, at least for a little while, and proving that their title claims were genuine and could be sustained. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so.

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The first half started in the usual fashion for both these teams. Everton were terrible, failing to keep the ball whenever they were able to win it, continually dropping deeper and deeper, inviting Arsenal to them, while the Gunners looked bright in possession with lots of movement off the ball giving them plenty of attacking options.

The inevitable breakthrough came not long after kick-off. When Francis Coquelin was felled on the edge of the area by Phil Jagielka, who goes in the book for his troubles, that man Alexis Sanchez stepped up, scuffed the free-kick low, towards goal, took a fortunate deflection off of the flat-footed Ashley Williams and looped over the stranded Maarten Stekelenburg into the gaping net.

However, while Arsenal started the game in a vibrant manner, after they got the breakthrough, the midfield dropped off, beginning to concede possession and sit deep, maintaining discipline and a resolute defensive structure, and Everton grew into the game. Ross Barkey was afforded more space, Enner Valencia began to get on the ball more frequently and the likes of Aaron Lennon and Romelu Lukaku missed half chances.

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With the Toffees growing into the game, the impending equaliser came just before the stroke of half time. Idrissa Gueye, who was enjoying more and more time in central areas as the half progressed, played a lovely first time pass out to Leighton Baines. Baines cut inside Theo Walcott far too easily, and with Arsenal wholly unable to pick anyone in the box up, a simple inswinging right-foot cross was flicked into the far corner by Seamus Coleman, who had ventured forward from his right-back position.

With the game in the balance, the second half continued in an even manner. Mesut Ozil missed a gilt-edged opportunity from Sanchez’s cutback, Bellerin then failed to slip Ozil in, overhitting a poor pass while Everton continued to press forward, with both Baines and Coleman getting forward well and causing problems.

With both sides pushing for the win, openings came. The pace and power of Lukaku began to cause problems, especially for Gabriel Paulista, Barkley found himself in more advanced positions, releasing a couple of sumptuous passes while Wenger turned to Olivier Giroud and Alex Iwobi to find the winner. However, as the game entered the closing stages, neither side could find that elusive second goal.

With 86 minutes on the clock and the home team pushing for the winner, it was indeed Ronald Koeman’s side that were rewarded for their hard work. A series of corners, one of which resulted in a sensational save from Petr Cech with Jagielka’s rasping shot goal bound, culminated with Ashley Williams, the man who poorly deflected Sanchez’s free kick home for the opening goal of the game, rose highest to convert Ross Barkley’s floated corner.

It was a desperately poor goal to concede from Arsenal. So late in the game, from a set piece with such naive defending. While there was late drama with a Phil Jagielka sending off after pulling back Lucas Perez, a penalty shout with Alexis Sanchez going down in the area that was turned away and Lukaku spurning the chance to convert an open net with Petr Cech up the pitch searching for a late equaliser, ultimately, it was a disappointing performance and result.

The title credentials of the Gunners have been questioned thanks to their history of lacking a winning mentality. Once again, on Tuesday, after looking so dominant in the early stages and taking the lead, Arsene Wenger’s men were unable to see out the victory, costing them three precious points.

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The Premier League is still when within grasp with a long way to go. However, the age old questions will be asked once more and Arsenal will not be able to answer them.

Highlights

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