Arsenal 2-1 Everton Barclays Premier League RESULT: Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny headers send Gunners top

I knew my prediction at 2-0 was never in doubt! Still, Arsenal top the Premier League for the first time this season.

Will they still be there this time tomorrow? If Manchester City lose a local derby to United they look likely to be and that's where our attention turns to now.

That's all from me here - thanks for following and remember to check back tomorrow for four more Premier League games. Cheerio.

90+4min: It's a tired lunge from Barry at Gibbs, but it's a blatant foul, a blatant yellow card offence and as a result he is unsurprisingly sent off.

'This really shouldn't have been so frantic, you know. Classic Arsenal, but a huge three points if they can see it out... that new-found steel Arsene was talking about in the week?'

90+1min: Ozil smashes a low shot against the post and wide from 20 yards as four minutes are added on. It's still end-to-end stuff.

89min: Final change from Everton as Seamus Coleman departs in favour of Arouna Kone, while Arsenal send on Kieran Gibbs for Sanchez.

88min: Neat play from Mirallas who turns the Arsenal defence from 20 yards before seeing his low shot across goal again well saved by Cech. This game has become incredibly open as Arsenal refuse to drop deep.

87min: Straight down the other end and Everton nearly equalise! Deulofeu is presented with a chance inside the box but his strike is superbly saved by Cech who beats the ball away

86min: Arsenal sent on Flamini to beef up the midfield, instead they are now pushing for a third goal!

The midfielder fires wide from 20 yards before he then headers straight at Howard.

83min: Half-hearted appeals for an Arsenal penalty as Bellerin goes down inside the box after trying to jink past Mirallas and Galloway, but nothing is given as the visitors gain a goal kick.

81min: Arsene Wenger has taken the hint and is sending on an enforcer, as Mathieu Flamini comes on to replace Oxlade-Chamberlain - who gently jogs off the field to kill a few seconds.

79min: Heading into the final 10 minutes and Arsenal have curiously been forced back by Everton.

In fact the Toffees nearly equalise! The lesser spotted Lukaku heading back across goal only to clip the top of the crossbar. Should score!

74min: That's much more like it from Everton though! Bellerin is caught out from a back post cross which Galloway somehow nods wide of the near post. That's just about their best chance of the match.

72min: It just gets worse for those poor Everton fans. Lukaku is now limping and the Emirates Stadium PA announcer has confirmed a cancellation of one of their trains home.

Naturally, the Arsenal fans greet the news with loud cheers. It's going to be a long night for Toffees supporters...

70min: Second change for Everton and the ever popular Lennon is jeered off by the home fans as he is replaced by Kevin Mirallas.

Girould is booked for a late tackle on Barkley.

69min: Chances like this for instance. Arsenal (nearly show) how it's done as Giroud crashes a strike against the crossbar from 20 yards - you won't be surprised to know Ozil was involved in the build up to that again. he's had a stormer.

68min: They get a half-chance though as Barkley's 25-yard effort from outside the box is comfortably saved by Cech.

If they are to get an equaliser they need to create more clear cut chances than that.

67min: Bit harsh on Gareth Barry, who having had his shirt pulled by Ozil trying to win the ball, responds by doing the same to the German.

It's the Everton midfielder who is caught in the act though and after complaining to the referee is booked for dissent.

Everton meanwhile still look nowhere near to an equaliser.

64min: I'm still surprised this game is only 2-1 as Arsenal continue to attack with menace. Giroud lays the ball off for Ozil, whose first time volley is well struck but well saved by Howard.

62min: Cynical from Gerard Deulofeu. Following a very rare Everton counter attack, the forward tries to dribble his way into the box, only to lose the ball and go down trying to win a penalty.

There are no appeals but only because he probably would have been booked for simulation had he done so.

59min: This Arsenal killer goal is coming. Hector Bellerin bursts down the right before his low cross into the box narrowly missed by Giroud from six yards out.

Everton are chasing the game but they cannot get anywhere near the Arsenal goal with the ball.

57min: Still Arsenal continue to attack, as Giroud brings down an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain knock down before seeing a near post shot well saved by Howard.

54min: And straight away the Everton back four is breached. A through ball into the box finds Sanchez, but the forward is fumbled at his feet by a sliding tackle from Howard.

52min: Everton are down to 10 men for now then, so of course they carve out the next chance! Seamus Coleman's long range effort is very well struck but Cech is right behind it to make a simple but vital stop.

Meanwhile, Jagielka's day is indeed done as he is replaced in defence by summer signing Ramiro Funes Mori. Tim Howard is now the captain.

50min: Problems for Everton. Their defence has struggled at times as it is, and now Phil Jagielka has appeared to have damaged his ankle competing in a 50/50 ball with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

It doesn't look good for the Everton defender and his hopes of continuing...

47min: Defend at 2-1 or go to restore a two-goal advantage? I'm sure you know the Arsenal response as a short ball played into the box for Sanchez results in the forward's low near post effort being pushed behind by Howard.

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Both these midfielders have had effective first halves for their respective teams, with Mesut Ozil's passing ability at times out of this world in helping create chances for his Arsenal side.

Ross Barkley hasn't done too well in that aspect (I'm still looking for a Lukaku impact) but his goal has given the Toffees second half hope.

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Half-time couldn't have come at a worse time for Everton who after equalising were all over Arsenal until the end of the half.

They trail 2-1 at the break and while they have a chance to get back into this game, Arsenal look like scoring every time they pump the ball into the box.

As it happens the Gunners are heading for the top of the table and based on the first 45 minutes  - they deserve to be. brilliant football from the hosts.

44min: After making a bold claim at 2-0 I have to stick by my prediction, but Everton have got half the job done to serving me humble pie as Ross Barkley's 20-yard drive from the edge of the box takes a wicked deflection off Gabriel before flying past a helpless Petr Cech. Game on?

'The hypercritical among us will say Phil Jagielka was caught ball-watching or that Tim Howard was caught in no man's land, but the reality is that Mesut Ozil's delivery from wide was indefensible.

'That corridor was too much to bear for Everton and Giroud's clever back header the sort of predatory finish you'd expect.

'The second? Well, Howard has had an absolute nightmare! How has he not come out and flattened Koscielny?

'This game looks over in a flash.'

38min: Well I make that just about game over. Everton fail to learn their lessons as another cross into the box, this time from Cazorla is nodded home from close range by Laurent Koscielny. The Gunners are heading for the top of the table.

36min: This boy is on fire! Arsenal take a deserved lead as Olivier Giroud gets in behind Phil Jagielka and diverts a header past Tim Howard from close range. An honourable mention for the Ozil cross too though - what a ball!

33min: They struggle from this one too as the free-kick pumped into the box just evades the head of Laurent Koscielny as the ball bounces wide of the goal.

moments later Alexis Sanchez fires a snap shot way off target as the hosts once again start to apply pressure.

31min: Arsenal win a soft free-kick 30 yards out after Aaron Lennon is penalised for blocking an Alexis Sanchez run - looks harsh.

Either way it's a set piece chance for Arsenal and Everton have struggled to defend them so far.

28min: Boos from the Arsenal fans and that's because former Tottenham midfielder Aaron Lennon has strutted to the edge of the pitch to take a corner.

From it, the Toffees are gifted their first chance, Petr Cech's unconvincing punch falls to John Stones, whose snap shot is sliced wide of an open goal.

It wasn't straight forward but the Everton defender is furious with himself for missing it.

25min: Everton have survived so far, which credit where it's due, is down to good defending.

But the Toffees need to somehow get Romelu Lukaku involved going forward because the Everton striker is being bullied by the Arsenal centre-backs.

It's a first yellow card of the game as Francis Coquelin is cautioned following a late challenge on Brendan Galloway.

22min: And once again it's an Arsenal head to the set-piece - Gabriel glancing wide across goal following Ozil's delivery.

21min: Brilliant football from Arsenal, but what a tackle from Phil Jagielka! Mesut Ozil's clever reverse pass finds Alexis Sanchez inside the box, but with the Chilean poised to shoot/cross, the England defender recovers to slide and make a crucial block to concede a corner.

18min: The rain is absolutely falling down in north London now, and it's favouring the hosts much more as Arsenal continue to string together quick short passing moves.

15min: For those associated with Arsenal, no one will be more pleased than Mesut Ozil that Everton win a free-kick after the German scuffs wide in acres of space after running on to a flick on towards goal.

His blushes are spared after the flick on from Giroud saw the striker penalised for a foul on an Everton defender.

'Romelu Lukaku looking relatively sharp for Everton, but lacking any serious support from those stationed behind him.

'Would've liked to have seen Martinez forgo Barry, sit McCarthy in front of the back four and start an extra ball player in midfield.'

13min: While Everton have defended well so far (well, at least from open play) the Arsenal pressure is piling to the point that a Gunners opener can't be too far away. Everton can hardly get a kick in an attacking position.

10min: Cazorla's corners could become a problem for Everton this evening. That's two from two which the visitors haven't dealt with now, as an unmarked Gabriel nods over from near the penalty spot.

8min: Giroud was the hero against Bayern Munich and he comes very close to opening the scoring! The Arsenal striker throws his body to a near post Santi Cazorla corner, but can only nod narrowly wide.

5min: Nervy moments at the back for Everton. Tim Howard's clearance from inside the six-yard box deflects off a charging Olivier Giroud pressing high, but John Stones eventually wins the ball back to help the visitors clear.

3min: There's quite a few empty seats dotted around the Emirates Stadium, but it doesn't seem to have affected the hosts who begin the game on the front foot. No chancs yet though.

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An expectant Arsenal crowd welcome the teams on to the pitch. Surely this match is a banker in terms of a home win?

Arsene Wenger has won 17 of his last 21 home games against Everton - the other four being draws.

'Bit dank here at Arsenal, that light rain - you know the type - which soaks you through.

'You'd assume the hosts will have had a little listen at goings-on at Upton Park and be buoyed by yet another Chelsea implosion.

'Not that they'd need much incentive this evening, with top spot up for grabs.'

Judging by form this season, Jack. I'd gather the Gunners may be disappointed that West Ham defeated Chelsea - I certainly know which side I'd rather play against at the moment!

'We have to be cautious with Theo Walcott, as he had recovery problems,' Wenger told Sky Sports. 'He could play part of the game and Olivier Giroud is fresh.'

'Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has a great opportunity, it's a massive game and I consider him a regular so he has to show he is.

'Per Mertesacker is in bed sick. We have to show hunger and humility. After Tuesday you can feel it's easier, but it will be harder because it's the Premier League.'

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud.
Subs: Debuchy, Gibbs, Walcott, Flamini, Chambers, Campbell, Macey.

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway, McCarthy, Barry, Lennon, Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku.
Subs: Robles, Kone, Mirallas, Naismith, Cleverley, Osman, Funes Mori.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Roberto Martinez wants Everton to clear a significant mental hurdle and rewrite history by recording a first away win at Arsenal in 20 years.

Martinez had been encouraged by Everton's start to the campaign but their momentum was checked by a wretched performance against Manchester United seven days ago and he knows there is pressure on them to deliver this weekend.

It will prove easier said than done, though, as Everton have not returned with three points from north London since goals from Andrei Kanchelskis and Graham Stuart secured a 2-1 win in January 1996 and Martinez appreciates that record has to change if his team want to progress.

Click here to read Roberto Martinez's per-match comments.

Arsene Wenger is adamant the mental and physical fragilities that have cost Arsenal so many times in the Premier League title race have finally been consigned to the past.

The Gunners have the opportunity to go top of the table if they beat Everton on Saturday evening, with challengers Manchester United and Manchester City meeting at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It would be the first time Arsenal have reached the summit since February 8, 2014 when a 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool started a slump that would ultimately see them finish fourth.

Follow this link to read the full article with Arsene Wenger's pre-match comments.

Gerard Deulofeu in for Steven Naismith is the only change to the Everton side that lost to Manchester United last Saturday.

Olivier Giroud comes in for Theo Walcott, Gabriel is in for Mertesaker and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in for the injured Aaron Ramsey.

It's nearly time for the big game at the Emirates tonight and the fans are already arriving at the stadium in Holloway, with Arsenal looking to match their top-drawer home performance against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.