Same opponent, same venue, different result. Although this fixture will always be attributed towards the last season, it might give Arsenal an up-lift like never before. Having gone five games without a win against the Merseyside rivals, Arsenal knew what was coming but they failed to apprehend it in the first half but kept their composure and made their way back. Just like Arsenal were complacent in the first half, Everton given away two points when Olivier Giroud scored the equalizer.
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Here are the 5 things we learnt:-
Giroud made his point
While you appreciate it or not, but it seems as though Arsene Wenger had lost confidence in the Frenchman. After starting a man who hasn’t scored for Arsenal before in the competition in Yaya Sanogo last match, it was the Chilean Alexis Sanchez who was preferred in-front of the tall center forward. Amid reports suggesting Arsenal going for Edinson Cavani with Giroud swap including cash, the Frenchman played really well in a struggling environment and even though he has been labelled by a small game player, he tried to nudge off this tag and scored his trademark goal to give Arsenal a much needed boost before their most-important mid-week clash.
Arsenal need a Central defending midfielder
With Mikel Arteta injured and out and Mathieu Flamini starting in-place of him, it was always going to be a tough fixture for Flamini who always go in tackles with a fiery approach. While this approach is commendable to some extent, it wasn’t required today against the likes of Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas. So if Arsenal sees off Besiktas in their 1st home game of the season they might have to go back for the like of Sami Khedira as they have been jolted quite early which might prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Arsenal side.
Everton switched off
For Arsenal it’ll be one point gained but for the blues, they have gifted away two points thanks to some complacent defending at the end. Both goals come from Leighton Baines side as the left back failed to track his opponent’s run and Aaron Ramsey as well as Giroud capitalized. So what would have been described as a defensive master-class in the first half, it did not fell like a pack of cards but it certainly didn’t provide enough restraint. Now after conceding four goals in their last two matches, Everton might well have to re-shuffle their back line.
Sanchez still settling in
Sanchez put enough hard-work in the match to give the Everton defenders some headache, however, overall it was not a type of performance Arsene Wenger would have expected from his expensive signing. Actually, it wasn’t Sanchez but Wenger is to blame as it is more than 3 years at club level since when Sanchez played as a spear-head back in his days at Udinese. So probably in order to get the best out of his front-man, Mr. Wenger might have to devise a theory to play him alongside Giroud to get the most out of Chilean.
Arsenal need to win rough
Mind it or not, but before Ramsey goal in the second half Arsenal seem stranded like they were at this stadium last season. Besides, their brand of total football was literally questioned by the blues and if you keep in mind how both Arsenal goals came, it was more of an Everton than an Arsenal type of play associated with the goals. So as Chelsea lingering around the corner, Arsenal might utilize Giroud personal strength along with Sanchez pace to unlock big teams’ defenses.
Mind it or not, but before Ramsey goal in the second half Arsenal seem stranded like they were at this stadium last season. Besides, their brand of total football was literally questioned by the blues and if you keep in mind how both Arsenal goals came, it was more of an Everton than an Arsenal type of play associated with the goals. So as Chelsea lingering around the corner, Arsenal might utilize Giroud personal strength along with Sanchez pace to unlock big teams’ defenses.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
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