Arsenal 2 - Everton 0: Giroud repays Wenger's faith by firing Gunners past Toffees
EMBARRASSED by his misfiring display against Monaco, Olivier Giroud provided the perfect response after Arsene Wenger took the decision to stand by the France striker.
Olivier Giroud thanked Arsene Wenger for letting him 'bounce back'
Arsenal manager Wenger opted to keep faith with Giroud, despite hauling him off in midweek after a succession of glaring misses during a painful 3-1 defeat.
Giroud and Arsenal both needed an urgent lift - and the forward ensured that whatever their problems in the Champions League, Wenger's side are finding an enviable level of consistency in their bid to secure a top four spot.
The striker's 31st minute volley set the Gunners on course for a sixth victory in seven league games with Tomas Rosicky's 89th minute effort setting the seal on hard-fought victory.
Had Everton been able to conjure a finish to match Giroud's first half effort, the outcome might have been different, but things just are not happening the way for Roberto Martinez's side this season.
Instead, Giroud and Wenger were both able to savour the feeling of relief that provided a welcome diversion after another chastening inquest at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger had voiced his support for the forward in his matchday programme notes - and Giroud was undeniably grateful.
He said: "Arsene Wenger gave me the possibility to bounce back. We wanted to do that together and I think we did well this afternoon."
Satisfied his decision had paid off, Wenger said: "Oliver has one great quality when he has his back to the wall, he has the personality and the strength to respond.
Wenger proud of beating Everton [AMBIENT]
He acknowledged that he was off his game and when he is conscious of it, he will respond because he has the strength to do it
Arsene Wenger
"Because I know him better now, it is one of the reasons I kept him in the team.
"He acknowledged that he was off his game and when he is conscious of it, he will respond because he has the strength to do it."
Wenger's other significant selection was to include Gabriel Paulista at the heart of the back four in place of Per Mertesacker who also had a night to forget against Monaco.
An early slip suggested that particular decision might backfire but the Brazilian recovered his composure and grew in stature as the game wore on.
It wasn't pretty - certainly not when Francis Coquelin battled on with a broken nose - but after the defensive horror show against Monaco, the performance brought relief.
Wenger said: "What was really important today was the mentally united response. We showed that. I am very proud of the response we have shown today.
"Our defensive concentration was at a much higher level than on Wednesday night. We know with the ball we can do better but overall what was important for us was to respond with a win and we got that.
"Not everyone can produce that after such a disappointment and it was vital for us for the rest of the season to win the game today."
Everton match a chance to stabilise third - Wenger [AMBIENT]
Like Arsenal, Everton's domestic form stands in contrast to their efforts in Europe.
Martinez's side, though, have impressed in the Europa League yet have now won just once in their last 11 Premier League games.
Romelu Lukaku threatened all afternoon, but they paid the price for failing to make more of a positive start when Giroud was allowed to meet Mesut Ozil's 31st minute corner with a well struck volley.
Then having been denied by the impressive efforts of Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina in the second half, they were denied the chance to claim anything from the game by Rosicky's deflected shot.
"The second goal was a reflection of our season," said Martinez. "We have six players in good position and it ends up in the back of the net.
"You read the 2-0 scoreline but it doesn't reflect our game and that's story of our season.
"We have never had the momentum you need to win games by doing enough. We have had to be perfect to win games and that is something we have to change in the next eleven games."
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