ARSENAL COMPLETED A brilliant week by moving to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
The hosts scored twice in three first-half minutes, Olivier Giroud converting Mesut Ozil’s cross before Laurent Koscielny doubled the hosts’ advantage with another fine header.
Ross Barkley pulled one back for Everton with a deflected strike just before half-time but, despite having plenty of chances, Everton could not conjure up an equaliser and their evening ended in further disappointment with the late dismissal of midfielder Gareth Barry for two yellow cards.
Arsene Wenger’s men top the table with 22 points from 10 games but they can be replaced by Manchester City on Sunday should they get at least a draw in the Manchester derby.
Arsenal started the match confidently and threatened for the first time in the eighth minute. Giroud beat his marker to the ball from Santi Cazorla’s corner but the Frenchman failed to get his header on target.
Everton nearly opened the scoring against the run of play on the half-hour mark. Petr Cech failed to adequately deal with Aaron Lennon’s cross from the left, handing John Stones a golden chance to hand the visitors the lead but the England defender blasted wide from close range.
Arsenal grabbed the opener in the 36th minute. Ozil sent in a superb cross for Giroud and the striker beat Phil Jagielka to the ball before heading home from five yards out.
The hosts doubled their lead just two minutes later.
Referee Lee Mason awarded Alexis Sanchez a free-kick down the left and Cazorla sent the ball into the box for Koscielny to head past the helpless Tim Howard.
Roberto Martinez’s side pulled one back shortly before the interval via Barkley. The England midfielder tried his luck from the edge of the area after a good run and saw his shot take a deflection off Gabriel to beat Cech at his near post.
Sanchez came close to restoring Arsenal’s two-goal lead immediately after the break following a sublime pass from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but he was denied by a fine block from Howard.
Giroud nearly doubled his personal tally in the 56th minute after a good combination with Oxlade-Chamberlain, only for Howard to again show his class with a superb reflex save.
Arsenal continued to dominate proceedings and Ozil was next to test the Everton goalkeeper with a volley from outside the box that was easily collected by Howard.
Barkley wasted a decent chance to equalise after some sloppy play from Nacho Monreal, but his shot lacked the power to worry Cech.
Giroud could have netted Arsenal’s 2,000th goal under Wenger in the 70th minute after an intelligent pass from Ozil, only to see his attempt hit the crossbar.
Romelu Lukaku did likewise at the other end as Everton searched for a leveller, his header from a Barry cross clipping the woodwork on its way over.
There was a late flurry of chances at both ends, Mathieu Flamini and Ozil coming close for Arsenal – the latter hitting the post with a crisp left-footed effort, while Gerard Deulofeu missed a wonderful chance to equalise with Cech distinguishing himself again with a smart block.
Everton’s desperation boiled over in stoppage time as Barry lunged in on Kieran GIbbs and was shown a second yellow card.
I bet Jose is like a ba$tard looking at the table tonight,looking forward to his next dig at wenger already!
got to win it this year never get a better chance
People seem to say that every year but you are probably right
of course I’m right Jon ,gunners on fire
They won’t win it. I’d bet any money on it.
Go bet on it so
paddy power is the place for you karol.
Trying to do your betting on the 42. Crazy stuff altogether
That’s because the League is getting worse every year
Karol sounds like Kevin Keegan….. I’d love it if Arsenal don’t win the league.
Seems like I’ve hit a nerve. Just my opinion there lads. Arsenal will fall away, just like they do every year.
Oh and Ron,
How about using your own name? Why are you hiding? Or are you just another troll looking for likes?
Sad.
Interesting that you accuse me of being a troll when that is exactly what you are.
Ya Ron use your own name. Lol
You didn’t answer my question. Why are you hiding behind a fake name? Trolls do that. Trolls like you.
Karol, Google the term Transference.
Ron,
Google the term “kiss my arse”.
Gowan Karol ya pure legend ya
I Googled that Karol and there is not much up there, am I missing something?
This is the worst argument ever just whist up the pair of ye
that went down hill very quick you on the wine karol?
karol ron is not a troll a headbanger yes a troll no.
Thank you Paul.
Yeah Karol Poborsky! LeGend!
Top.Of.The.League!!! #COYG
different kind of win today. Sanchez was quite. Ozil seems to be hitting a vain of form for whatever reason, but given his history I wouldn’t expect it to last. Koscienly has been superb, I think he’s the key to a successful season. kept ledeowski in his pocket the other night. be good for the league to see another team win the league, becomes a bit pedestrian when you’ve the same 2 or 3 teams winning it.
Ah it’s arsenal they will fall away it would be good for the league someone other than arsenal win the league!
That’s true, but it’s only true until it isn’t…..
Wasn’t a pretty win, but we done more than enough to deserve it in the end I felt. Hopefully they just keep it going! COYG
A bit of perspective here supernova. you kept harping on last week of how bad Everton are. Have you changed your mind this week?
We are a different animal this year . Cmon u gunners
Ox had a quiet game today, thought he should’ve been subbed sooner, as did Alexis. Miserable weather for a while. But great atmosphere anyway. Good to be at the top of the league (even if only for the next few hours).
Only October. Let’s wait for the injuries to their main players and then the lack of cover.
Tim Howard won the game for Arsenal tonight.shocking all season.gotta find an alternative in January…….
Arsenal won the game for Arsenal.
He is terrible at the back post plus bad decisions up front for Everton so frustrated with Barkley made the wrong decision after wrong decision! Definitely could have got a point tonight!
But both goals were scored in the first half, who knows what would have happened if Arsenal weren’t ahead. Pointless to blame anyone.
@spoddy “if would be good for the league if Arsenal didn’t win the league” why is that? Your avenge football fan, pundits would love to see Arsenal win the league, they go about things the right away and are a roll model of a club!
Pointless to blame anyone?……not really.Tim Howard made two mistakes so i blame him……plus he made two more v WBA and another v Liverpool.the worst thing is its the same mistake EVERY time.
I’d blame John Stones for the first goal today…just let Giroud walk away from him.
really thought everton were gonna try break through to b contenders for top 4 two years ago but have fallen off seriously what happend there like