As today's match approached the 70th minute at the Emirates, it looked like Louis Saha's controversial first half goal would prove to be the difference between Arsenal and Everton. While the Gunners had looked the better side throughout the half, they almost always look better than their opponents. Likewise, it's not uncommon for Everton's often conservative approach to give the appearance of the Toffees being the inferior side. Those facets combined, it wasn't difficult to imagine Everton grinding out the final 20 minutes and earning a win that would have debilitated Arsenal's title hopes.
Arsenal Vs. Everton: Gunners Overcome Officiating Gaffe, Earn Comeback Win Over Visiting Toffees
But then Andrei Arshavin was subbed-in, and more surprisingly, he scored. And then Laurent Koscielny run onto a corner, and perhaps less surprisingly, he scored, and within six minutes Arsenal had reversed their fortunes. The 1-0 deficit they took into the final 20 minutes was a 2-1 lead with a quarter hour to go. And when that 15 minutes elapsed, Arsenal was still within five points of Manchester United, their Tuesday victory having matched United's result at Old Trafford.
While the scoreline may seem an obligatory result, with Everton winless against Arsenal since 2007, it was a well-earned victory for the Gunners, considering their early misfortune. For Everton, it's the second match in a row they've given up a second half lead, with Chelsea scoring a late goal this weekend to earn a FA Cup, fourth round replay.
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