3 Key Talking Points From Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Mixed Bag For Gabriel

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky were enough to send Arsenal back into third place and condemn Everton to their seventh defeat in their last eight away league games. After defeat to Monaco in midweek, Arsene Wenger wanted a response and although they were never in control of the game, the Gunners got the job done and keep their top-four ambitions in tact.

Giroud’s opener was as simple as they come as some slack marking resulted in the Frenchman being left free from a Mesut Ozil corner. Although he missed plenty of chances against Monaco, he made no mistake as he swept home with his right foot.  From then onwards Arsenal had their Colombian keeper David Ospina to thank as he ensured that the Gunners maintained their lead. Rosicky eased any nerves in the closing stages, as he doubled Arsenal’s lead with a deflected effort from outside the box to secure the points for the Gunners.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. Everton’s domestic woes continue

Although they are six  points clear off the relegation zone and are just a couple of wins away from securing another season in the top-flight, there is something worrying about Everton’s domestic form. As the only English club through to the Round of 16 in the Europa League, they are certainly carrying the English flag in Europe, but at home, they are turning into an insipid side who are a shadow of what they were last season.

Sunday’s defeat was yet another example of how far they have fallen off  the pace in the league. Their 2-0 loss was as much their own fault, as it was Arsenal’s attacking play. Defensive mistakes once again led to goals and the finger must certainly be pointed at both Roberto Martinez and the players as a side that was so resolute last season is now conceding goals for fun. Europe might well be their main focus for the rest of the season, but they will have to improve their league form, or else they might become the first club to win the Europa League and get relegated.

2. Mixed bag for Gabriel

Whether or not it is the greatest league in the world, if there is one thing that is for certain about the Premier League, is its uncompromising nature. Whether it is for defenders or for forwards, the English game certainly takes some getting used to. That is why it was surprising to see that Arsene Wenger went for Gabriel Paulista over the experienced Per Mertesacker for a tricky encounter against Everton.

Although the German’s performances have been far from convincing, putting Paulista in at the deep end against Everton was certainly a big surprise. But after a shaky start in which he almost cost his side goals, the 24-year-old centre back showed his class as he came back to help his side to their third home clean sheet in their last four games. In the first half, it looked as though the Brazilian was going to be the root cause of at least one goal but Paulista stayed strong. While it might take him some time to adapt to his new environment, the ability is certainly there and this might just mark the end for the German giant as the Gunners seem to have finally found themselves a defender who can and loves to defend.

3. Garbutt – sole bright spark for Everton

Arsenal might well finish in the top four and the Toffees look like they might avoid the drop and stay in the league. So, in terms of the league position at the end of the season, a routine 2-0 win or Arsenal isn’t particularly noteworthy. But this game might just go down as the game that Luke Garbutt introduced himself to the world.

Have you never heard of him? Well you are not alone. But Everton’s 21-year-old who was deputizing for Leighton Baines caught the eye in a game that didn’t have too many bright spots as far as Everton were concerned. But Garbutt not only defended well, his crossing was simply exemplary. Whether it was from set-pieces or from open play, the full back displayed an array of crossing that was arguably the single-biggest talking point of the game.