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The teams started off the proceedings after paying homage to the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough disaster
They miss him. They won’t say it, but they miss him. They are missing Robin van Persie. No matter how much the fans despise the Dutchman who is now plying his trade up north, with the run-away champions, they must concede that Robin van Persie could have been the big difference between Arsenal and Everton, if he were still playing for them last night. That wonderful volleyed goal off a beautifully wedged pass from Alex Song, steered Arsenal away from a similar stalemate last season at the Emirates.
This time around though, Arsenal seemed to be in pretty much the same shape as last year, with the Champions League scramble and all, but they missed the mercurial finish of a seasoned Premier League striker up front. Giroud was there last night, but he failed to provide a breakthrough for Arsenal on three separate occasions and now owes the Arsenal faithful three fantastic goals, to be scored by the end of this season.
It was a drab 0-0 draw to begin with, apart from the fact that it was somewhat of a tactical beauty, well orchestrated by two of the greatest conductors of the Premier League era. Both the teams started with their usual formations with Arsenal assembling in the usual 4-2-3-1, while Everton stuck to their usual 4-4-1-1.
From the game against Norwich, Arsene Wenger made two changes to the side, with Theo Walcott swapping places with Gervinho on the right of the midfield and Thomas Vermaelen getting relegated to the bench to make way for Per Mertesacker. Jack Wilshere dropped into his ‘hole’ behind the striker, with Santi Cazorla operating from the left of the field.
David Moyes on the other hand, handed a start to Ross Barkley, due to injury to Leon Osman, who has been an ever present figure in Everton’s league campaign this season. Marouane Fellaini dropped back with Darren Gibson in a more deep lying play-maker role, where he seems to be most comfortably settled.
David Moyes’ faith in placing Ross Barkley in an advanced role paid off almost immediately with Barkley attempting a shot in the 39th minute which was somewhat easily saved by Wojciech Szczesny. Everton’s wide spread formation meant that Kevin Mirallas and Pienaar often drove inwards to join Barkley and Anichebe in attack. The extent of the width down the flanks was emphasised by the forward movement provided by Everton’s perennially industrious full-back duo of Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines. Everton’s pressing tactics seemed to get somewhat overly physical during the first half, which kept Arsenal manager engaged in a raging debate with touchline official, Kevin Friend.
Jack Wilshere had a torrid night, with numerous challenges being aimed at him.
Everton’s first real chance came after six minutes, when Pienaar clung on to Jagielka’s angled shot, only to blow it wide away. There were a few chances for Arsenal in the first half, with Jack Wilshere’s presence being completely subdued by Everton’s back four. Cazorla managed to place in a low cross into the box, but no one was present at the receiving end to sweep it into the back of the net.
Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey were constantly hustled around by Ross Barkley and Marouane Fellaini, as the latter tried to halt Arsenal’s midfield from charging up front, consistently preventing them from settling into a rhythm. The first half saw two bookings in quick succession for Darren Gibson and Ross Barkley, with the latter coming after a series of warnings from referee, Neil Swarbrick.
Fellaini presented Arsenal a real chance when he passed the ball to Cazorla who managed to find Gibbs in the opening, only for the left-back to blow it miles over Tim Howard’s goal. For the next chance created off an aerial interception from Bacary Sagna, Walcott was recklessly challenged by Darren Gibson, which saw the Emirates baying at the referee for a second booking. Gibson was eventually let off with a warning, judging the nature of the challenge.
Arsenal’s half ended rather smoothly after Cazorla and Ramsey teamed up to provide an opening for Olivier Giroud, who failed to score for the second time off an easy opening.
The second half involved two substitutions, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replacing the massively subdued Wilshere and Lukas Podolski coming in for Theo Walcott. Cazorla was then moved into his usual central role, replacing Wilshere where he has been most comfortable, after being relieved off his additional defensive duties down the flanks.
Cazorla was the most effective for Arsenal, operating wide left. [Sourced via Squawka.com]
With 12 minutes to go, Podolski switched the play to the right, creating a chance for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who preferred to pass the ball to Giroud, only to see the Frenchman blow away a sitter for the third time.
Arsenal obtained a massive number of corners in the dying minutes but most notably were denied by Marouane Fellaini who headed the ball away, after Cazorla swung in from an optimistic free-kick.
Man of the Match: Though Marouane Fellaini was away from his #10 role, where he has been magnificent this season, the Belgian was most influential in his old role as a deep lying playmaker. Fellaini tamed down Arsenal’s counter attacks and provided defensive cover on the right, an area from where Arsenal seemed to poach Everton.
Fellaini’s 6/7 defensive tackles. [Sourced via Squawka.com]
Fellaini made four key interceptions during the game and also completed 51 of his 61 passes, the most by any Everton player last night. Fellaini also completed 6 of his 7 attempted tackles successfully and hence though not involved in any goal inspiring chances, helped Everton pick up a necessary point at the Emirates.
