Giroud scores late equaliser to charge Arsenal to 2-2 draw against Everton

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored a dramatic late equaliser against Everton to help his side battle back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side looked set for another chastening defeat against one of their rivals for a top four finish after finding themselves deep in trouble before half time. Strikes from Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith ripped apart an Arsenal defence which had been demolished on their visits to Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton last season.

But Arsenal staged a brilliant late revival to suggest that their squad is made of sterner stuff this term, with midfielder Aaron Ramsey finishing from close range with seven minutes remaining before France striker Giroud capped the gutsy fightback by heading home in the final minute of normal time, Sport24 reported.

It was an agonising finale for Everton, who had made two changes from the side, which drew with Leicester on the opening day as Coleman and Kevin Mirallas came in for John Stones and Aiden McGeady.

Wenger included World Cup winners Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil for the first time this season, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nacho Monreal made their first starts, the report added.