The best match of the season so far as Arsenal come back from two goals down to end their visit to Goodison Park in a 2-2 draw with Everton, who led thanks to goals from Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith, but had to give up two points due to second half goals from Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.
Arsene Wenger is trying to outsmart rivals with his rotations and weird lineup decisions like playing without a striker. Alexis Sanchez was nowhere to be found in the match while Olivier Giroud waited on the bench until given the chance. Everton dominated the first half as Arsenal carried on with their ability from their Champions League encounter against Besiktas, as the faith in Jack Wilshere is starting to run out.
Gareth Barry, the man of the match through the first 45 minutes, found the defender Coleman for the opening goal in the 19th minute. Those were the minutes in which Arsenal looked like the team without character or mentality to get themselves out of such a hole. Romelu Lukaku fouled Per Mertesacker right before half time, setting up Steven Naismith for a second goal that seemed to mark another terrible visit for the Gunners to Liverpool.
Olivier Giroud entered the match in the second half for Sanchez and for the final 30 minutes, it was a one-sided affair as Roberto Martinez took out his two most dangerous players in different stages, maybe losing himself two important points. Instead, Everton marked the second time they’ve dropped a lead in a match, doing the same at Leicester a week ago, although they led twice in that match.
Some excellent work from Santi Cazorla on the edge of the box found Aaron Ramsey wide open in the middle of the bad Everton defense to put them back in the match with seven minutes to go. Seven minutes later, right before injury time began, it was Nacho Monreal with the cross from the same wing, this time finding Olivier Giroud in the middle of the box, covered badly by an Everton defender.
Arsenal don’t look too consistent or good so far this season, but they’re still undefeated, scoring twice in both matches. There’s no reason to panic, but Wenger has to stop trying to invent new tactics that any common fan can see won’t work. Everton have drawn now twice 2-2, and their defensive lapses with slow centre backs and over-adventurous wing backs is something to worry about.