Arsenal show they can mix it up

Everton 2 Arsenal 2

Wenger has rigidly stuck to his football philosophies throughout his time managing the Gunners, but they showed different qualities at Goodison Park on Saturday to battle back and secure a point after being 2-0 down and seemingly dead and buried.

This was not about a brand of aesthetic football with all its intelligent passing and neat interplay that have been the hallmark of Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal.

It was more to do with qualities that the Frenchman’s teams have seemingly been missing in previous seasons — resilience, determination and sheer bloody mindedness.

None of those qualities were evident when Arsenal were thumped 3-0 by Everton on Merseyside back in April.

But these are the characteristics of a side that can ensure Manchester City and Chelsea do no turn the Premier League title into a two-horse race.

For Wenger, the source of that inner steel was ending their nine-year wait for a trophy with an FA Cup final victory back in May.

“The belief comes with success,” Wenger said. “I think winning the FA Cup has helped that. We always had a great spirit but you can have some games in the season where it doesn’t come off.

“Last year we had one here, we had one at Liverpool and it’s important for the group to know you can come back. For us, it is a strong point, for Everton a disappointing one because they were 2-0 up at home.

“What’s different is we had a complete off day here last year. But let’s not forget we also got 79 points and won the FA Cup so it wasn’t a disastrous season for us. But we had more belief and that showed.”

Everton had deserved their two-goal lead at half-time, earned thanks to Seamus Coleman’s header from a Gareth Barry ball into the penalty area and Steven Naismith’s smart finish after great work by Romelu Lukaku.

Arsenal pulled one back seven minutes from time when Aaron Ramsey slid in to guide the ball home from Santi Cazorla’s cross. France striker Olivier Giroud completed the comeback in the final minute of normal time with a powerful header from Nacho Monreal’s high ball after Everton captain Phil Jagielka mistimed his jump and failed to head the ball clear.

Arsenal must now quickly turn their attentions to the second of their Champions League play-off Besiktas with Wenger eager for his side to show the same qualities to reach the group stages.

“We need a good performance against Besiktas at home, because it’s a game we have to win,” he added. “I believe we can do it. And if we play well with the same spirit we can.”

The Gunners will more than likely have to do without Giroud for the visit of the Turkish outfit, who they drew 0-0 with in Istanbul last week, after the France striker suffered an ankle injury in added time and left wearing a protective medical boot. Everton looked jaded at times against the Gunners and a further strengthening of the squad at Goodison Park will be of paramount importance if they are to improve on last season’s fifth-placed finish with the combined strain of a Europa League campaign.

Toffees boss Roberto Martinez acknowledged the need to bring in a few more new faces before the transfer window closes. Everton have been linked with an unlikely move for Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck and the more realistic prospect of Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea in the summer.

“There is a lot of money involved in those two players. If I am honest, I am looking at all the options,” Martinez said. “While the window is open we are looking at anyone who can help us and also looking at our injured players and seeing how they react. The fitness of Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone will have a big say on how we end the window and I have an open mind about it. Our first half performance shows what we have got in the squad.”

Eto’o will turn 34 early next year but Martinez said he would have no reservations about signing a player who’s best years are behind him if he feel he can add something.

“Is his age an issue? No, because every player can contribute in a different way,” Martinez added.

“It is about trying to see what we need in the squad and how we are going to repeat our first half performance against Arsenal over the course of 90 minutes.”

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard 6; Coleman 7, Jagielka 5, Distin 6, Baines 5; McCarthy 7, Barry 7; Mirallas 6 (Atsu 85; 6), Naismith 7, Pienaar 6 (Osman 10; 6); Lukaku 7 (McGeady 76; 6).

ARSENAL (4-1-4-1): Szczesny 6; Debuchy 7, Mertesacker 5, Chambers 5, Monreal 5; Flamini 6; Ozil 5, Ramsey 7, Wilshere 5 (Cazorla 74; 7) Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 (Campbell 74; 6); Sanchez 5 (Giroud 45; 8).

Referee: Kevin Friend.