Arsenal’s second goal came from a less likely source, with Koscielny netting for the first time in the league since January.
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Yet, there is always a “but” with Arsenal, the perpetual fear that history is doomed to repeat itself, and although the Gunners will enter the next six games as the unquestionable favourites, the run ends with a tricky visit to the Eithad four days before Christmas. Often this has been misunderstood as Arsenal’s flair players lacking the work rate to press the ball, however the performance versus Bayern (http://uk.blastingnews.com/sport/2015/10/arsenal-handed-champions-league-blast-off-00612517.html) and Everton this week has shown this to be too simplistic a view.
He criticized Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain for the challenge that led to his captain being sidelined. They could have gone in all guns blazing against relegation battlers Watford but instead ground them down in the first half before exploding to life in the second. None of the four were adequately defended from an Everton perspective.
Ross Barkley scored though a deflection off Gabriel, just one minute before the interval, after the 12-time FA Cup champions were caught on the counter-attack. To roars of approval from the home fans, the Tannoy announcer at the Emirates solemnly informed them during the second half that the last train back to Liverpool had been cancelled.
Having missed a huge chunk of last season after needing surgery on an ankle problem, it’s a concern that Arteta again sidelined by a knock to the same area.
The 33-year-old’s chances have been limited in recent months by injury and the emergence of Francis Coquelin as first-choice holding midfielder.
Except, holding the fort was the last thing the Frenchman had in mind.
A Romelu Lukaku header struck the woodwork to hand Arsenal a late scare but Wenger’s side stood firm. Flamini managed two shots on target in his first five minutes on the field. He leaped highest over a stretched defence and headed across Petr Cech, only to find the top of the bar. Ozil, too, a player with an unerring nose for mischief, began to sense that Everton’s left-back might be Everton’s most tender point.
Worse was to follow.
“It’s nice to win this kind of game after a Champions League game”, Giroud said.
The goal provided Everton with the flawless boost before the interval, but rather than lifting the visitors, it appeared to inspire Arsenal to step up their efforts and ensure they did not squander the points.
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I, and many others, were fulsome in praise for Arsene Wenger’s conversion to the ways of tactical pragmatism on Tuesday evening.
