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Premier League
Mar 19, 2016 at 12.45pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-2)
Welbeck (7'), Iwobi (42')

Live Commentary: Everton 0-2 Arsenal - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League.
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Arsenal have eased to a 2-0 win away at Everton in the Premier League thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi.

The Gunners took the lead after just seven minutes when Welbeck capped off a fine passing move by rounding goalkeeper Joel Robles and tapping into an empty net.

Just before half time, Iwobi doubled the advantage after breaking clear of the Everton defence and sliding the ball past Robles, and it proved decisive as Everton failed to mount any sort of a response.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at Goodison Park.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal.

Normally, a clash between teams in 12th and third place usually throw up one-sided contests, but that is extremely unlikely here. In fact, some will consider Everton to topple an Arsenal side who are seeing their season slip away week by week. At some point, Arsene Wenger's side will bounce back but they could have done with an easier fixture after their elimination from both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Twelfth place at this stage of the season usually indicates that a club have retained their Premier League status for another 12 months and they are delighted to have the pressure taken off during the run-in. However, due to their two games in hand, Everton are still in contention for a top-six position and three points against the Gunners would be a statement of intent from Roberto Martinez's outfit.

Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the team news that has emerged at Goodison Park.

EVERTON XI: Robles, Coleman, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Baines, Besic, McCarthy, Cleverley, Lennon, Barkley, Lukaku

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Howard, Stones, Kone, Niasse, Deulofeu, Osman, Galloway

ARSENAL XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Macey, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Chambers, Campbell, Walcott, Giroud

First of all, let's take a look at the Everton starting lineup. Martinez has made just the one alteration to the team that began the 2-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup, with Muhamed Besic coming in to replace the suspended Gareth Barry. John Stones again starts on the bench, as does Oumar Niaase, who is still awaiting his first start since his £13.5m move during the January transfer window.

As for Arsenal, Wenger has opted to keep faith with youngster Alex Iwobi, who impressed against Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek. The one change involves Mohamed Elneny coming in for Mathieu Flamini, who came off injured at Camp Nou. Olivier Giroud remains on the bench, with Danny Welbeck being given the nod in his place.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 205th time that these two clubs have met in a competitive fixture, with Arsenal winning 100 times compared to 59 victories for Everton. The Toffees have only prevailed in one of the last eight meetings, but they are unbeaten in their last three against the Gunners at Goodison Park.

If you take a look at our Stat Centre, you can see that Everton have only won one more point than Arsenal in their last six games, but that is slightly deceiving. The state of mind of either side could not be much more different with Everton heading into the match having defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup and Arsenal suffering defeats to Watford and Barcelona.

Everton received a social media message from Tim Cahill earlier today - they could have done with him this season! Imagine the Australian linking up with the likes of Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku. The message can be seen by clicking here.

We cannot head into this game without talking about the form of Lukaku. He has scored 25 goals in all competitions for the Toffees this season and has six in his last six. He was in destructive form against former club Chelsea last weekend and with Arsenal's backline currently under-performing, that can only spell bad news for the Gunners. Their supporters undoubtedly wish that the Belgian would make a big-money switch to Arsenal but that would involve Wenger spending money from his reported warchest - something easier said than done.

Talking of strikers, what has happened to Olivier Giroud? The Frenchman was superb during the first half of the campaign but his only goals in his last 14 outings came against Hull City in the FA Cup, and the first of that double was gifted to him. Danny Welbeck has come into the side and generally impressed but he doesn't offer the same goal return as his teammate. Wenger desperately needs one of them to have a prolific run in the final third during the final two months of the season.

It's not just forwards that have been out of form. Both John Stones and Per Mertesacker find themselves on the bench this afternoon, and although Stones has been sidelined for recent weeks, the same cannot be said of Mertesacker, who is paying the price for a number of sloppy performances. Gabriel Paulista hasn't been in great form either, but Wenger needs one of them to improve so that responsibility can be eased on Laurent Koscielny, who has carried both players since the club's form dropped off in all competitions.

PREDICTION! This should be a terrific match and any result would not come as a surprise. We are going to go for Everton, though. Arsenal could struggle to contain both Lukaku and Barkley, and providing they can keep things tight at the back, we think they will run out 2-1 victors.

Everton will move up to 10th position with a win, leapfrogging Chelsea, while Arsenal can go to within three points of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. That should be their first aim before thinking about leaders Leicester City.

The two teams have walked out at Goodison. The mascot accompanying Tom Cleverley is almost as tall as him.

Everton get us underway.

WOODWORK! It's been a vibrant start from Everton. Coleman immediately earns the Toffees a corner before popping up in the box to flick the ball off the near post after getting ahead of Iwobi!

WOODWORK! Now Arsenal have hit the post! Welbeck knew nothing about it though. He weaved his way along the byline before the ball was hit against him. It ricocheted off his leg and onto the outside of the post before going behind for a goal kick. What a start.

Since the post was rattled at either end, both teams have had headed chances through Barkley and Gabriel but their efforts were never threatening a goal. Pretty clear this game will not finish goalless... (famous last words).

GOAL! Everton 0-1 Arsenal (Welbeck)

Amazing goal by Arsenal. Ozil and Sanchez combine on the edge of the area before the Chilean produces a delicate ball through to Welbeck, who takes the ball around Robles and taps into an empty net. There must have been at least 15 passes in the build-up too. Arsenal are very much on it today.

Moments after the goal, Iwobi could, and perhaps should, have made it 2-0 with a low drive from 15 yards but his effort was straight at Robles. Everton are on the ropes.

Baines cuts inside and draws a foul out of Bellerin in a threatening position. It's just out of Barkley's range so Baines chooses to cross it into the middle, but it fails to beat the first man.

Everton have come on strong over the last few minutes but they cannot get a shot on goal. Lennon comes close to finding Lukaku with a low cross, but Koscielny gets in front of the Belgian to clear the danger. This one is bubbling up nicely.

Not much to report from the last few minutes. Everton are trying to build a head of steam but Arsenal are doing a very good job of stifling their hosts.

CHANCE! More brilliant play from the visitors. Monreal and Iwobi link up to play in Ozil, who works a shooting position for himself inside the penalty area. However, despite getting past a defender, he sees his goalbound effort blocked and go out for a corner.

SHOT! Better from Everton, who first see Barkley have a shot blocked before Besic curls a low effort towards the bottom corner, only to see Ospina smother the effort and claim it at the second attempt.

Arsenal enjoy a sustained spell of possession in and around the penalty area, but after that breaks down, Everton surge forward through Barkley, with the Toffees eventually earning a corner after a Cleverley cross is cleared behind. It's a poor set piece though, and Arsenal get the ball away.

Martinez will probably be disappointed with how his side have failed to force a meaningful save out of Ospina. There was a feeling that Arsenal were there for the taking at the start of the match but they have settled into this game nicely. Arsenal look more likely to score a second than Everton to find an equaliser.

Sanchez is adamant that he should have had a penalty after being felled in the box but referee Mark Clattenburg is having none of it. It was a difficult one for the official because Sanchez was clipped and stayed on his feet before going down when losing possession of the ball. The Everton supporters are jeering him but you can understand why he feels hard done by.

Everton try to take advantage of that reprieve with another corner won by Coleman but again, the set piece is shocking. McCarthy tries a speculative left-footed half-volley from the edge of the box but it strikes his own man.

GOAL! Everton 0-2 Arsenal (Iwobi)

We have just three minutes to go until the break and Arsenal have netted what could be a pivotal second goal. A long ball from Bellerin finds Iwobi who surges clear of Funes Mori and slides the ball through the legs of Robles from 12 yards. He has been excellent. Arsenal have been excellent.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

HALF TIME: Everton 0-2 Arsenal

The half-time whistle goes at Goodison Park and Arsenal take a well-deserved 2-0 win into the break. Everton are booed off the pitch but that is a little harsh. This has been Arsenal at their best.

Martinez has chosen to make his first alteration, bringing on John Stones for Muhamed Besic. Will we see Stones operate in midfield here?

Arsenal get us back underway. Everton have switched to a back three, explaining the introduction of Stones.

The second half has started with Arsenal bossing possession and pushing for a third goal. Ozil almost got in behind the defence but he was half-a-yard offisde. The Toffees are living dangerously here.

Everton are doing their best to close down their opponents but they are giving silly fouls away. It's giving Arsenal the chance to regroup and regain the ball. They need to find a way of changing the pattern of play because their fans are growing increasingly frustrated.

Arsenal have been excellent over all the pitch but Alex Iwobi is showing he could become something special for the Gunners. There doesn't appear to be a weakness in his game and his work-rate is superb.

We are still awaiting a decent chance in this second half. There's plenty on endeavour but no quality in the final third. One more goal from Arsenal will end this one as a contest. They should have made more of a break-away but the final ball to Ozil was played behind him.

Bellerin uses his pace to try to get past Funes Mori, which results in the Everton player putting out an arm to stop the full-back going any further. It's a clear foul and a yellow card but Clattenburg waves play on.

Ouch! Some quick thinking from Lennon sets Coleman off down the right but the quality of the Irishman's ball into the box results in Lukaku and Ospina colliding in the penalty area. The goalkeeper has taken a considerable blow to the head and Matthew Macey may have to replace Ospina here.

He looks groggy but he is continuing for now. It looks like he was struck in his hip or leg when Lukaku slid in, and although that means there isn't a concussion, it is restricting his movement. Wenger should probably make the change. Everton are taking confidence from this.

Moments after the restart, Jagielka should have halved the deficit with a header but he mistimed his jump and the ball went over. Big miss!

SUBSTITUTION! Martinez is taking off Barkley - interesting! Gerard Deulofeu is the man who has been introduced.

SUBSTITUTIONS! It's Wenger's turn to make some changes. Olivier Giroud and Kieran Gibbs have replaced Welbeck and Ozil.

The break in play has allowed Ospina to recover from his earlier knock. He should be okay to see out the rest of the game. Coquelin and Coleman have a bit of a disagreement but Clattenburg handles the situation.

I cannot see Everton getting back into this now. Arsenal are doing a great job in possession. Iwobi is still their outstanding player.

Giroud has the ball in the back of the net after glancing a header past Robles, but the referee says he pushed Jagielka in order to win the ball. Correct decision.

CHANCE! It's only half a chance but Everton will take it. A ball is floated towards the back post where Lukaku is waiting but his downward header is weak and straight at Ospina.

There will be five minutes of added-on time.

Arsenal create a late chance through Calum Chambers, who has replaced Iwobi, but his shot found the side-netting from 12 yards. It's not going to matter though. This match is over.

FULL TIME! Everton 0-2 Arsenal

The full-time whistle goes at Goodison Park and Arsenal have strolled to a 2-0 win over Everton, who barely tested David Ospina all match! Anyway, that's all from Sports Mole for this match but we hope you can join us for the rest of the fixtures that are taking place in the Premier League this afternoon. Goodbye for now.

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Joel Robles of Everton is congratulated by teammates Tom Cleverley and Ramiro Funes Mori after stopping a penalty kick during the FA Cup fifth-round match against Bournemouth on February 20, 2016
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