Arsenal vs. Everton: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for Arsenal to put his Champions League woes behind him with a 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

The France international had been criticised in the wake of the home loss to Monaco for missing a number of opportunities.

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But he was on hand in the 39th minute to sidefoot home a Mesut Ozil corner to help move Arsenal into third place in the Premier League table, four points behind second-placed Manchester City.

In the penultimate minute of the game, substitute Tomas Rosicky made the three points safe when his shot deflected off the leg of Phil Jagielka and past Tim Howard to leave Everton on a run of one league win in 11 games.

But while the victory was a welcome one after the midweek loss, it was only a step in the right direction for the Gunners, who still lacked the form of recent weeks.

Gabriel Paulista started for Arsenal in place of Per Mertesacker, while Hector Bellerin, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were included in the starting XI.

Luke Garbutt, Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas all came into the Everton team after impressing in the Europa League win over Young Boys on Thursday.

It was a cagey opening to the game, with neither side enjoying a clear sight of goal. Gibbs did well to block a Romelu Lukaku effort on the edge of the area in the 15th minute.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina needed to be alert two minutes later, as Lukaku took advantage of a Gabriel error to chase through. But the Colombia international blocked the striker before tackling him outside of the area as the pair fought for the loose ball.

If the Gunners were looking for redemption after the disappointing Champions League defeat, they were disappointed as Everton closed down well to claim possession in a low-key start to the game.

Olivier Giroud was given his first chance in the 27th minute when he dived in to connect with an Alexis Sanchez cross, but despite his bravery, the header flew wide of Tim Howard's goal.

Gabriel atoned for his earlier errors with a fine 38th-minute tackle on Lukaku to deny the Everton forward.

Moments later, Arsenal were ahead. A Mesut Ozil corner floated toward the penalty spot, and Gabriel dummied before Giroud got ahead of John Stones to sidefoot beyond Howard.

Howard was required in the 45th minute when a Muhamed Besic header back toward goal almost took him by surprise, but the USMNT international comfortably gathered.

Giroud was cautioned early in the second period for bringing down Seamus Coleman, but no Everton player was able to connect with Garbutt's excellent free-kick.

Everton had Arsenal penned in during the opening stages of the second period, with Garbutt providing some tremendous set-pieces in the absence of Leighton Baines.

Roberto Martinez made his first switch of the day with Mirallas being replaced by Aaron Lennon, followed by the inevitable jeers from the home crowd for the on-loan Tottenham winger. 

Santi Cazorla had had a quiet afternoon, but a one-two with Giroud presented the Spaniard with a chance in the 65th minute, but he fired wide.

Barkley finally made a mark on the game with a clipped ball to Lukaku inside the Arsenal area, and Ospina made a smart save to push the striker's effort over the crossbar.

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Francis Coquelin had been impressive in midfield, but he was caught in a collision with Giroud in the 68th minute which saw the midfielder requiring attention.

Ospina was once more the saviour for Arsenal when he got behind Lennon's close-range strike from a Coleman cross.

Steven Naismith came on for Besic in the 77th minute for the forward's 100th appearance for Everton as Martinez chased an equaliser.

Ozil should have made the points safe in the 80th minute from an Oxlade-Chamberlain pass, but Phil Jagielka came across to block the Germany international.

Martinez made his final switch in the 84th minute as Barry was replaced by Darron Gibson.

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Ospina did well to deny Lukaku as another Garbutt cross threatened the Arsenal defence with four minutes left.

Coquelin was hurt once more in the closing stages after his earlier injury was exacerbated when the ball struck him in the face, and he left the field to be replaced by Calum Chambers.

In the 89th minute, though, Arsenal sealed the points. Rosicky had only been on the field for seven minutes after replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain when Ozil's cross found him on the edge of the area. The midfielder's shot looped off the leg of Jagielka and behind Howard to make it 2-0.

Selected Player Ratings

Olivier Giroud: A

The Arsenal striker received criticism after the Monaco loss but struck back with a first-half strike for the Gunners, even if it was a mishit strike.

Ross Barkley: B

Much has been expected of the Everton midfielder this season, but he has not delivered in the style Toffees fans were hoping for. It was another middling display today when a more influential display was required.

Gabriel Paulista: A-

The Arsenal defender failed to inspire confidence in the opening stages with a number of errors after replacing Per Mertesacker. But he made up for that with a great tackle on Lukaku and played his part in the Gunners' opening goal.

Post-Match Reaction