The scoreline might not suggest that, but the Gunners were on top of their game today. Dominating the game right from the first whistle, Arsenal were the deserved victors today at the Emirates. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for Gunners with his trademark header, moments later Laurent Koscielny doubled it with a stunning header.
However, Everton were handed their share of the belief just before half time when a deflected shot from Deulofeu found the Arsenal net. But as it proved to be later on, it was just a consolation for the Blues.
Here are the player ratings.
Arsenal
Being the home side, here is how Arsenal players were ranked today at the Emirates.
Petr Cech – 6.5
While he did concede a goal today, Petr Cech could have done nothing to prevent it. He also made a solid save at the dying stages just when Everton were threatening for an equalizer.
Hector Bellerin – 7
If there is one player in the Arsenal lineup who couldn’t put a foot wrong currently, it has to be the Spaniard. After producing a magnificent 2nd half display against Munich in mid-week, Bellerin did just enough today.
Gabriel Paulista – 7
While he was the chief culprit in Everton’s only goal of the game as the ball scuffed off his foot, Paulista compensated that error with an electrifying performance in the 2nd half. He also denied Romelu Lukaku a clear opportunity after tackling the Belgian in one on one position.
Laurent Koscielny – 8
Arsenal fans already know the fact that Koscielny can score goals however his scoring sense seemed to have dried coming into this game. As it turned out to be today, it was the goal from Koscielny that proved out to be the winner for Gunners.
Nacho Monreal – 8
Given the assignment to stop Gerard Deulofeu, Monreal did superbly well today on the left flank. Most of the time he cut the space short for the Everton winger and defended well in one on one situations down the left flank.
Francis Coquelin – 6
To be fair to the French midfielder, it wasn’t a tight contest in the midfield department as Arsenal winger were creating havoc on their own.
Santi Cazorla – 8
While he was playing with Coquelin in the midfield, Cazorla was more involved in the game with his passing. His passing accuracy was 100% throughout the 2nd half which kept Everton on the check.
Alexis Sanchez – 7
With 10 goals in last 7 games coming into this match, Alexis Sanchez took a breather today as his team-mates did the job for him.
Mesut Ozil – 8
With his tailor made assist for Giroud today that opened the scoring for the Gunners, Mesut Ozil made his way to the top of assist table in the Premier League. He has made 7 assists so far this season, more than any other player in the League.
Chamberlain – 7
With all respect to him, Aaron Ramsey have been doing a much better role than him this Season. He wasn’t lackluster today as shown by his rating. However, he refused to match the goal-scoring form of Aaron Ramsey.
Olivier Giroud -9
When his name was announced on the team-sheet, some Arsenal fans were skeptical of the decision made by Arsene Wenger. However, 40 minutes into the first half and Giroud justified his inclusion with a brilliant header past Tim Howard and into the Everton net.
Everton
With 2 defeats in the last 2 matches, Roberto Martinez has a lot to ponder on his journey back to Liverpool. Here is how his players are ranked today.
Tim Howard – 5
If a keeper concedes 2 goals, it is more than likely that fingers will be pointed at him. However, it was his role in the 2nd Arsenal goal that should be questioned. His decision making was poor as Koscielny easily headed the ball into an empty net.
Seamus Coleman – 6
Ever since he has returned from his injury, the pace that was associated with him before has vanished all of a sudden. However, with more of first team action, Coleman could get his form back for Everton once again.
Jon Stones – 7
With all due credit to other Everton defenders, Stones was on another level when compared with them today. He was calm, composed and wasn’t brash in his tackling.
Phil Jagielka – 6
With his age going against him, Jagielka was too easy a defender to deal with for Arsenal today. Both of the Arsenal shots that hit the woodwork had come from his side.
Galloway – 5
Losing possession of the ball time and again, missing a golden opportunity and being hasty in his passing, Galloway needs a small miracle if he wants to see his Everton position intact after Leighton Baines comes in from injury.
McCarthy – 7
While it was a game of long passes for Everton – with their defenders using the air bound method to reach Lukaku, McCarthy did really well to stop Cazorla from scoring today.
Gareth Barry – 5
As a result of his 2 yellow cards today, Gareth Barry has now become the most yellow carded player in the history of Premier League. A record not to savor, of course, but one that depicts the bravery of Barry.
Deulofeu – 7.5
He was given a role to launch the offense on Arsenal from the left flank but credits to Monreal who stopped him all the time. He looked more comfortable when in the central role and that is where he disturbed the Gunners today.
Ross Barkley – 8
If there was one Everton player who looked the more likely to level the game today, it was Barkley as his pace was too much at times to deal with for Arsenal players.
Aaron Lennon – 6
To be fair to Lennon, he was drawn against an in-form Bellerin, who didn’t allow him to create opportunities from his end.
Lukaku -6
If Roberto Martinez wants to draw more goals out of the Belgian, he needs to find another approach than the one that was employed today. Lukaku was left isolated in the Arsenal final third, and he could do nothing to disturb the gunners.
