For 80 minutes, it looked like more of the same for Arsenal. They had come up against one of their main challengers and seemingly come up short - again. By half-time, Everton were 2-0 up at home to Arsenal with goals from Coleman and Naismith - and it could have been more convincing.
Arsenal had been second best by some margin and Everton had dominated all over the pitch. Lukaku was again instrumental as demonstrated by his break away from the half-way line that led to Naismith's goal. He demonstrated his pace and power, as he muscled past Mertesacker and Chambers before laying the ball on a plate for Naismith to place it past Szczesny.
It was due reward for a vibrant first-half performance by Everton, and the match seemed to be heading in the same manner as last season, where Everton were comfortable 3-0 winners.
In 2014, away matches against their nearest challengers cost Arsenal dearly. They lost heavily to Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton, conceding 20 goals in the process. From being top of the division at the end of January, they ended up in fourth place, seven points ahead of Everton in the final reckoning and seven points behind champions Manchester City. The twelve points dropped against their title rivals would prove crucial.
Wenger would need to address these deficiencies in the summer if there was going to be tangible progress.
The triumph against Hull City in the FA Cup ending a 9 year trophy drought was some consolation for their falling away in the Premiership race. Despite being overwhelming favourites, again Arsenal did it the hard way, coming back from a shock 2-0 deficit before winning in extra-time with that Aaron Ramsey strike. Arsenal showed themselves able to pull a game back from the brink and show some due resilience when they most needed it.
Wenger has made some changes to the squad this summer, most significantly with the arrival of Sanchez for £35 million from Barcelona. Other arrivals have included Debuchy, Ospina and Chambers but they could be classed as ready-made replacements for Sagna, Fabianski and Vermalaen, though Chambers, at 19, is still raw and the former captain has large boots to fill after leaving Arsenal for £15 million in August.
Deficiencies in the squad were highlighted by the big teams in the title run in last season - has Wenger really strengthened enough?
Ospina has yet to start a game and Debuchy looks like a solid acquisition who has slotted in quickly to Sagna's right back berth. Chambers has already shown some promise and will no doubt come good with experience but definitely needs more games. Sanchez has yet to fulfil his potential but these are early days, and it is rare for a star to make an instant impact. With a week to go to the end of the transfer window, fans are still eager for more business - perhaps an experienced central defender to support Koscielny and Mertesacker and assist the development of the new man from Southampton.
Arsenal have been linked with a defensive midfielder all summer - will Khedira eventually join his compatriot Ozil and renew their partnership that was so successful in the World Cup? Perhaps Joel Campbell, fresh from his heroics for Costa Rica in the World Cup, will add a new threat to the attack and there is still the pace of Walcott to return. Everything will unfold in the next week.
Following a disappointing first half when Sanchez failed to touch the ball in the opposition's penalty area, he was withdrawn and replaced by Giroud who perhaps still has a point to prove with Gunners fans, despite leading the attack almost single-handedly last season. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for in control and strength and within a minute of coming onto the pitch, blasted a good chance over the bar.
Arsenal definitely started the second-half with more purpose.
But it was not until the 83 minute that Arsenal managed to pull a goal back, and it came from a familiar source. Aaron Ramsey continues to enjoy a rich vein of goal-scoring form and notched up his second of the season, after scoring the winner against Crystal Palace in the first game. This time it was a poacher's goal, sliding in to convert Cazorla's cross.
With virtually the last kick of the game, Arsenal managed to conjure an equaliser when Monreal, who earlier had been exposed by Lukaku's strength, crossed into the box for Giroud to head powerfully past Howard and finally break Everton's resolve. It will have felt like two points dropped for Everton rather than a point gained, whereas Arsenal can gain confidence from having ground out another result, having snatched a late win against Palace last week.
Both teams remain unbeaten after two games.
Martinez felt that his team had run out of energy which is perhaps slightly concerning at this stage of the season, though it often takes time for a team to play itself into form. He can take huge heart from the way Everton started the match, a performance he called "phenomenal." Wenger hailed the character of his side to battle to the end and he called it a "strong point" gained at a ground where it is not easy to get a positive result. His substitutions of Cazorla and Giroud made a difference for him.
Arsenal have not played well in any of the matches they have played this season and their new signings, perhaps Debuchy excepted, have yet to sparkle.
However, the determination they displayed in winning the FA Cup is still very much in evidence - the team has refused to lie down and capitulate which is a positive sign. Maybe there will still be another marquee signing before the end of the window but Wenger has instilled a new belief in the team. Thanks to the victory against Manchester City in the Community Shield to add to their trophy cabinet, Arsenal have remembered how to win again - even if it is not always with the beautiful Football, but through guts and determination. Hopefully for Wenger and his team, these are good early signs for their new campaign.
