A fiery start from both teams indicated this was always going to be a close affair. In the end a draw was a fair result after an extremely competitive match saw both teams end with a clean sheet.

It’s no surprise that Arsenal and Everton find themselves only separated by four points at this late stage of the season after such an even match.

Wojciech Szczesny – 6 – Had a very quiet game on his return to the first team making just two saves.

Bacary Sagna – 6 – A solid display at the back. His attacking threat was limited due to Everton’s Baines presence.

Per Mertesacker – 6 – Dealt with the physical threat of Anichebe very well winning 75% of all aerial duels.

Laurent Koscielny – 6 – Not much to highlight as Mertesacker mainly dealt with the threat of Anichebe. Looks comfortable playing alongside the big German.

Kieran Gibbs – 7 – One of Arsenal’s outstanding performers. Shot over from outside the box on 24 minutes and good dribbling created a chance for Giroud ten minutes into the second half. Was always looking to get in behind the Everton defence.

Aaron Ramsey – 7 – Another good performance from the ever improving Welshman. Sharp in the tackle with the most successful tackles in the Arsenal line up along with Gibbs, 5. Always looking to be on the ball and was not afraid to run with the ball and take on the Everton defence.

Mikel Arteta – 5 – Was out powered and performed by Fellaini in the middle of the park. Wasted a last minute chance when sent through on goal. Tends to go missing in games as close as this.

Santi Cazorla – 7 – Looked like Arsenal’s most likely player to create a winner. A brilliant nutmeg led to a blocked opportunity towards the end of the first half and also forced Tim Howard into saving on 48 minutes. Once again his creativity seemed to be limited on the left hand side.

Jack Wilshere – 6 – Was the subject of constant fouling from the Everton team in the first half and it seemed to slowly get to him. This was an improvement from the Norwich match but this match still seemed too early for him and was subbed on 68 minutes.

Theo Walcott – 6 – Failed to assert himself on the game only truly threatening once in the first half drawing a foul in a dangerous area after half an hour. Heavy touch let him down on a breakaway in the second half and was withdrawn with twenty minutes remaining.

Olivier Giroud – 5 – Great strikers score important goals and the Emirates faithful are starting to doubt. Tonight was the night where Arsenal needed Giroud to step up and get the goal that would win them the game but the striker missed a series of chances.

If Wenger is to keep him as first choice striker next season he needs to gain composure at big moments as proven when he blazed over after a great touch set him up with ten minutes to go.

Substitutes

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6 – Will be hoping to return to the starting line up soon after once again making a good impact from the bench. His pace allowed him to break through ten minutes after coming on and would have left Giroud an empty net only to be denied by a last ditch challenge.

Lukas Podolski – 5 – Failed to make a significant impact from the bench

Monreal did not play for long enough to get a rating.

The way Arsenal will look at this result will only be known after their rivals play their next games. Arsene Wenger will be happy with the clean sheet but worried at the lack of clinical play in front of goal after this display.

The two draws to Everton this season shows the reality of these teams being on a level ground at this moment in time.

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