The midfield set up was very interesting, the Flamini and Arteta duo has come under a bit of scrutiny in the past. Arteta has often played as the deepest player as he is better suited to receive the ball from the centre backs and distribute the ball, Flamini has been used to make tackles further up the pitch. Trouble is, this has caused issues with our offensive game, especially if Arteta is stopped from controlling the game from deep. On Saturday Arteta seemed to play as the traditional number 8 as is displayed on his shirt. It looked like the Arteta that forged such a good partnership with Alex Song when he first joined. He may not have the mobility or athleticism of some of his midfield partners but he looked as if he enjoyed himself. With Jack Wilshere missing for the next six weeks and Aaron Ramsey in need of time to get back to his best, we may just see Arteta get a little run in this position.

Many Gooners have said that the Everton game was our most important of the season so far, I can totally understand such sentiments. Not only was overcoming another strong team in the FA Cup vitally important but due to the Stoke City performance, this game was somewhat of a crossroad for the remainder of the season. Lose the FA cup tie and risk potential huge damage to self confidence and also tumble out of the trophy that at this point seems far easier to reach especially after a helping hand by Wigan yesterday afternoon.

I thought Giroud would start the game but maybe Yaya Sanogo is the cup striker just as Fabianski is the cup keeper. I don’t know but I don’t understand the post game criticism. I’m not sure it can be seen as the wrong move when we end up winning the game.

It was good to see both Özil and Cazorla sparkling at the same time which often hasn’t been the case this season. Personally I think that is down to coincidence, both players form fluctuating a different times. They are too talented not to be able to play well in the same side.

The first goal reminds me a lot of Lukas Podolski’s first Arsenal goal at Anfield.

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Expect Özil didn’t need a first touch to compose himself. If it wasn’t the Everton midfielders slip after Chamberlain’s flick then that goal would have probably been avoided. Margins in football are amazingly small. Cazorla scampered as he does and his weighted pass to Mesut was perfect as was the finish.
The celebration did not feel like just the standard celebration, it was a statement of support. The passion in which Gibbs, Flamini and company grabbed him was there for all to see.

Everton have been a good side for a while now but now under Martinez, they are a brave side as well, fully prepared to take you on in a game rather than just concentrating on stopping you. Ross Barkley ran the length of the field with Flamini tracking but unable to make the challenge due to his previous booking, so Barkley whipped around an inviting low ball to the far post and Lukaku tapped in from close range after a miskick from Mirallas.

The midfield set up was very interesting, the Flamini and Arteta duo has come under a bit of scrutiny in the past. Arteta has often played as the deepest player as he is better suited to receive the ball from the centre backs and distribute the ball, Flamini has been used to make tackles further up the pitch. Trouble is, this has caused issues with our offensive game, especially if Arteta is stopped from controlling the game from deep.

On Saturday Arteta seemed to play as the traditional number 8 as is displayed on his shirt. It looked like the Arteta that forged such a good partnership with Alex Song when he first joined. He may not have the mobility or athleticism of some of his midfield partners but he looked as if he enjoyed himself. With Jack Wilshere missing for the next six weeks and Aaron Ramsey in need of time to get back to his best, we may just see Arteta get a little run in this position.

Mesut Özil was really in an impish mood and looked sharp from beginning to end. He showed he meant business when on 13 minutes he chased back Mirallas, barged him out of it and won a goal kick to the delight of the home support. I am sure the attacking intent from those around him also helped get the best out of him.

One of those players was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who was such a positive influence to our attacking game. He really does seem to be stamping his personality on games rather than just flashing in and out as he used to. The only downside to his game was his loose passing in dangerous areas at times but he made up for those by racing back and winning back possession. Reminds me a little of Thierry Henry. When the Frenchman gave the ball away he would sprint around like crazy to make up for his error.

On 67 it was the Ox who made the difference once again. I’ve almost lost count the amount of times in his short Arsenal career that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has forced opposition defenders into mistimed tackles. This time Barry could not handle his quick feet and took him down.

Arteta sent Joel Robles the wrong way but had to retake it after the referee blew for encroachment from Giroud. It didn’t matter because the ice cool Arteta struck high past the keeper in the other corner.

What situation would we have found ourselves in tomorrow night if Mikel Arteta was playing in the first game against Bayern? A goal up and 11 men on the pitch? Most probably but that’s gone now, all we can do is do the best we can in each game from now on.

With Arsenal 2-1 up, Everton had to push forward which left them exposed. Arsène gets plenty of flack for his substitutions, he also doesn’t get enough credit for the subs that work well. He was spot on against Everton on Saturday. Bringing on Giroud for Sanogo and the drive of Rosicky for Chamberlain.

Both subs were heavily involved in the next two goals. First Rosicky playing in Sagna down the right. Instead of just firing in a cross, Sagna controlled the ball, lifted his head and played the perfect cut back to Giroud to tap in from close range. 3-1.

It is something I’ve cried out for a long time now. We are not a crossing team and often crosses into the box are wasted. But get beyond the opposition full back and find a cut back and your goalscoring chances increase dramatically.

The fourth goal was a thing of beauty and is now one of my favourite goals of the season. Cazorla winning the ball in a left back position then bursting into central midfield then feeding the ball into the path of the scampering Tomas Rosicky down the right, Özil moves towards the Czech, receives the pass and first time switches it to his left for Giroud to stroke in with his first touch. One end of the pitch to the other in seconds. Beautiful.

The score line may have flattered us because Everton had their chances but we took our moments better and the game gets stretched in our favour.

We are now in the semi finals against Wigan who against all odds went 2-0 up in Manchester. When Nasri struck through the crowd to pull it back to 2-1 I expected nothing other than a home victory. I was spitting feathers when Marc-Antoine Fortuné chose to shoot from 30 yards instead of slipping through James McClean. But it didn’t matter in the end because luck as well as excellent Boyce defending means that Arsenal are now the favourites to win the FA Cup.

More on that later in the week I guess. As for now let’s warm up our singing voices. ‘WHAT DID SHE WEAR?’

This piece was written this morning but unfortunately Arsenal Vision has been having problems with the comment section. Spam has attacked the database (probably a Spurs fan, or Chelsea for that matter) so I have had to remove the comments for now. Otherwise we would not be able to have the site online.

I shall be looking into sorting this out. I may well need a new comments plugin, I am not sure yet. It’s a shame because I really do enjoy reading the contributions from other Gooners, even if I am not always able to respond at the time.

You can reach me via the contact button at the top or catch me on Twitter.

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