Everton 2-2 Arsenal - Match Report

Oliver Giroud got the late equaliser

Everton ran out of steam whilst Arsenal kept plugging away and eventually the north London club grabbed two late goals for an impressive point.

Arsenal, inspired by sub Olivier Giroud, mounted a stirring late fightback to earn a 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.

Goals from Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith gave the Toffees a two-goal cushion going into the half-time interval, but Aaron Ramsey and Giroud both found the net in the final seven minutes to secure a share of the spoils for the Gunners, who were somewhat fortunate to earn a point.

Visiting boss Arsene Wenger handed starts to Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nacho Monreal and Per Mertesacker, while home manager Roberto Martinez drafted in Coleman and Kevin Mirallas for John Stones and Aiden McGeady.

And it was the home side who made the brighter start, with the Toffees finally gaining their reward with 19 minutes on the clock.

Gareth Barry curled the ball towards the back post from the left side of midfield and Coleman arrived right on cue to rifle a header into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Soon after Mirallas ran through but could only sidefoot wide, as the hosts took a firm grip on the game.

And they were in total charge right on the stroke of half-time when Romelu Lukau shrugged off a couple of challenges down the right flank and played in Naismith, who calmly slotted his finish under the advancing Szczesny, despite more than a hint of offside.

Wenger brought on Giroud for the misfiring Alexis Sanchez at the interval and the French striker almost made an instant impact, as he volleyed over from eight yards with his first touch of the ball.

Just past the hour mark Giroud cut in from the right and dragged a shot just wide of the near post, as he mounted a one-man mission to try and get his side back into the game.

Soon after Tim Howard was forced into a rare save as Giroud again threatened, before a superb driving run by Leighton Baines almost set up a chance for a third goal for the Toffees.

With 15 minutes left on the clock the Gunners threw on Joel Campbell and Santi Cazorla and the latter was to have a hand in the first Arsenal goal seven minutes from time.

Spain midfielder Cazorla beat a couple of defenders and played the ball in from the left for Aaron Ramsey, who had been quiet for much of the game, to prod home from close range.

Giroud then flicked a header narrowly wide of the far post as the visitors pushed on for an equaliser, before they were rewarded at the beginning of four added minutes.

Monreal kept the ball in play over on the left and was allowed the time and space to cross to the near post, where Giroud stood firm to head powerfully into the corner of the net, leaving Howard and the home fans stunned.

The blow was all the more painful given that Everton had conceded a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Leicester City last weekend.

The Gunners, meanwhile, move on to a crucial Champions League clash with Besiktas in midweek, with a place in the group stage of the competition up for grabs.

And they will hope that Giroud will be available after he took a knock right on the stroke of full-time, holding his ankle after blocking a clearance from home defender Sylvain Distin.