Toffees unstuck by Gunners

Whether or not Arsenal can maintain their challenge for the whole season remains to be seen, but the Gunners completed a great week and stayed firmly in the title race with a 2-1 win over 10-man Everton.

The Gunners, who recorded a surprise 2-0 victory over former European champions Bayern Munich earlier in the week, moved temporarily top of the Premier League thanks to headed goals from Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny. Manchester City's goalless draw at Manchester United moved them above the Gunners on goal difference, but Arsenal's season still seems to be heading in the right direction...as things stand!

I say as things stand because we all know how quickly things can change in football. If we can keep up the level of performances we have been producing in recent weeks then this could be a great season for us. But it is 50-50, in my opinion, whether or not we will actually do this. We certainly have the potential to and I hope the run we are on is the beginning of something special. This relies on us not getting any further injuries and it is important that we also add to the squad in the January transfer window to make sure we maintain what is looking like a decent title challenge.

I am hoping that the fact that only goal difference separates us from City should be a huge confidence boost for the players going into the upcoming games but we mustn't get complacent. The recent victories over Manchester United, Bayern Munich and also Everton, prove we have what it takes to compete for silverware but we must make sure we continue this form on a consistent basis throughout the rest of the season.

Arsenal's patient approach against the Toffees was crucial to getting the result. It wasn't the same free-flowing attacking game that had been seen in other recent league games but it was still a professional performance and defensive duo Koscielny and Gabriel were excellent at the back. Petr Cech also proved his worth with some vital saves to ensure it was the Gunners taking maximum points from a close encounter.

Giroud and Gabriel were both off target with headers but it was Everton who came closest to scoring inside the opening half an hour. Aaron Lennon's effort was pushed away by Cech before John Stones sliced the rebound harmlessly off target.

Two headed goals in as many minutes then put Arsenal firmly in control. Giroud, who also scored against Munich, rose highest to head home Mesut Ozil's perfectly-weighted cross after 36 minutes. Before Everton had chance to respond Arsenal were at it again as Santi Cazorla whipped in a free-kick for Koscielny to head beyond a helpless Tim Howard.

Everton gave themselves renewed hope and reduced the deficit when Barkley's shot from the edge of the box deflected off Gabriel and into the net two minutes before the break.

Arsenal started the second half with attacking intent and nearly increased their advantage within two minutes of the restart, but Howard was on hand to deny Alexis Sanchez. Howard was called into action again soon after as the American shot-stopper pushed Giroud's acrobatic effort away for a corner.

Giroud did get the better of Howard soon after but this time the woodwork came to Everton's rescue as the Frenchman's curling effort hit the crossbar. That miss almost proved costly as Everton came agonisingly close to levelling the scores 12 minutes from time. Gareth Barry's cross was met by the head of Romelu Lukaku, but the Belgian's effort clipped the crossbar and went over.

There was still time for Everton to steal a share of the spoils but Cech came to Arsenal's rescue with a crucial save late on. With four minutes remaining Lukaku's pass had been cleared by the defence, but the loose ball fell straight to Gerard Delofeu. The Spain Under-21 forward tried his luck inside the box but Cech reacted quickly to block the youngster's shot. It was a crucial save to ensure the hosts didn't drop any points.

Arsenal very nearly added a third late on but Ozil's shot from outside the box clipped a post. Everton's woes were complete when Barry was sent off for a second bookable offence following a careless challenge on substitute Kieran Gibbs.

OPPOSITION VIEW
Everton fan Paul O'Neill was critical of his side's display and is expecting a much better performance at the return game at Goodison Park in March.

"Coming into this game I was pretty much expecting defeat of a similar score to that of the Manchester United game (3-0) but Everton certainly made a bit more of a fight of this one, although in truth Arsenal were worthy winners.

"(Ross) Barkley's goal certainly came at the right time for us but not enough to change the course of the game.

"From the game there were many frustrations - the sight of Howard flapping is getting boring, as is Gareth Barry's ability to pick up more cards over the course of the season than I get Christmas cards. It was a shame Lukaku didn't manage to steal us a point.

"Finally I am hoping the Everton fans got home okay, who were rudely jeered by the prawn sandwich Londoner brigade as the last train to Liverpool was cancelled (it turns out some noise can be made at the Emirates)!

"It was a fair scoreline, we must do better and I feel both teams have more to give. Certainly I am hoping Arsenal will find it a lot tougher at Goodison."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REACTION
It was a truly great result against Bayern Munich, especially given the fact that the German giants had scored eight goals and were yet to concede in this season's Champions League prior to the game.

After defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos our Champions League campaign hung in the balance and many no doubt expected us to fail against Munich. The German outfit have one of the world's best goalkeepers, Manuel Neuer, in their ranks yet we managed to beat him twice. It really was a hugely impressively result but we shouldn't get carried away just yet, despite our impressive run of form.

At the halfway stage in the Champions League, Arsenal remain bottom of Group F and will require another positive result in the return game in Germany if they are to well and truly revive their 2015-16 European adventure. Let's wait and see what happens.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
We are unbeaten in October with just one game left to play this month and second in league, behind leaders City on just goal difference, so there is every reason to be positive. Things are heading in the right direction and at the moment I am one happy Arsenal fan. I am fully aware in another few weeks it could all change again but for now I am just focussing on one game at the time and will wait and see how this season's adventure continues to unfold.

We must now turn our attention to the Capital One Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday. Although it is the competition I value the least, it is still important to take it seriously and try and bring home the silverware. I know Arsene Wenger is likely to make changes and give some youngsters or fringe players a chance against the Championship side, but it is important that we keep our good run of form going so another positive performance is needed and hopefully we can get another important victory.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS