Everton 0-2 Arsenal: A win! A win!

Arsenal have won in the Premier League for the first time in a month, with first half goals from Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi enough to defeat an Everton side who offered lots of effort and physical commitment, but little in terms of quality. Arsenal named almost side as the team that played against Barcelona, with Francis Coquelin coming in for Mathieu Flamini. Alexis Sánchez started on the right, and looked far better than he had in months, with the right-hand side giving him variation. The change paid off quickly: in the 7th minute, after a period of sustained possession play, Alexis and Özil played a one-two, before setting Danny Welbeck in on goal. Welbeck took the ball around Joel Robles and slotted the ball into the empty net. It could've been two right away: the bright Alex Iwobi, making his first Premier League start, had a chance, but shot straight at Joel Robles.

But Iwobi would get another chance: towards the end of the first half, Héctor Bellerín, seeing Baines woefully out of position, played a great long ball for Iwobi to run onto. Iwobi held off Funes Mori, and then scored between Robles' legs.

Everton brought on John Stones and changed to a back three, but only injures would concern Arsenal in the second half: David Ospina was clattered by Romelu Lukaku, but managed to stay on, while Özil's ankle was trod on by Stones. He was replaced by Kieran Gibbs, and Arsenal will hope that his injury, if serious, will only keep him out of Germany's friendlies.

Late on, Calum Chambers played in Olivier Giroud, but the oaf blasted wide when he should've hit the target. The difference between Welbeck and Giroud could not be more pronounced: Welbeck was lively, skillful and fluid, while Giroud was static and, well, oafish. If Arsenal, 8 points behind Leicester with 8 to play, are to stand any chance of hauling the leaders in, then this front 4 must be the front 4 for the remainder of the season.