Arsenal vs. Everton
Emirates Stadium
Match Report
16/04/2013
Giroud rues missed chances
Arsenal and Everton went into the game on Tuesday knowing
that this result could have a major impact on both teams’
European qualification hopes. The stakes on the line seemed to
have had a cautious effect on both sides as they both defended
solidly but lacked creativity when attacking, which was the
fundamental reason to why the match ended 0-0 at the Emirates.
It was a very tight affair, with Champions League dreams still
alive, both sides seemed worried their dreams would be crushed.
There was a tense atmosphere in the air, the sort of tension you
could cut with a knife.
Steven Pienaar had a great chance to open the scoring early on
when Seamus Coleman threaded a fine pass into the path of the
South African, only for him to curl his effort over the bar. The
midfielder will feel he should have at least hit the target.
Arsenal responded with Kieran Gibbs attempting a shot on the
edge of the area, only for the left back to bend the ball high and
wide across the face of goal.
Youngster Ross Barkley, 19, was given another opportunity to
impress and played promising. He struck the first shot on target
with a long-range effort well caught by Wojciech Szczeny.
Just before the break the Gunners created their best chance of
the half. Aaron Ramsey whipped a cross in from the right and
found the outstretched leg of Olivier Giroud, only for the
Frenchman to direct the ball just wide.
The tempo of the game increased as the second half started.
Arsenal had an early chance when Santi Cazorla stuck a half
volley on target. The strike stung the hands of Tim Howard who
managed to push the ball out for a corner.
Giroud had his second chance of the game when Gibbs done
well down the left wing to skip past a couple of challenges and
found the big Frenchman, only to bend the ball over the bar.
Barkley again showed he has an eye for goal when he attempted
a fizzing effort which drifted just wide of the target.
Giroud had the best and last chance of the match in the latter
stages of the game. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain found the target
man with a low pass into the box. The former Montpellier
forward was in a dangerous position, just outside the six-yard
box, one on one with Sylvain Distin. The striker pushed the ball
from out of his feet and blazed the ball over the crossbar to the
home crowds frustration.
The result means that Arsenal remain third, two points ahead of
London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham but have played two more
games than Chelsea, in addition to their north London rivals
having a game in hand. Everton are two points behind a
Champions League spot, but like Arsenal have played thirtythree games and must hope for the teams above to slip up if they
are to stand a chance of playing in Europe next year.