Arsenal 1 – O Everton: An all too fitting victory
Prior to the match against Everton it was a slew of Arsenal legends like Henry, Ian WRIGHT WRIGHT WRIGHT, Andres Limpar, George Graham and others. And with Georgie Graham and Henry watching from the stands and the club celebrating it’s 125th Anniversary, it is only fitting and proper that it was a classic score line and a bit of magic that propelled Arsenal into their 7th win (from 8 matches) and 22 point out of 24 and for the first time this season back into the top 4.
First off, all credit to Everton. They are a team in flux. They are inconsistent and will likely finish mid-table. But the are managed well, and even with a lack of investment they have some of the brightest young talent and some quality in the first team. They played the game compact and organized and while Arsenal had their chances in the first half in the second Everton held their defensive shape. That shape frustrated Arsenal for much of the match and frankly gave the blue side of merseyside a chance to nip something from this match.
In the end though missed chances by Gervinho in the first half and Theo Walcott in the second half would matter none as it was won by a wonder strike by none other than Robin Van Persie.
“We needed something special to score and in the end Robin got it. – Wenger said in his post match interview. “I have to give credit to Alex Song who gave him a great ball, but it’s never easy to score this kind of goal. You have to get the timing right. It is an art, but Robin masters it well. We seem to be very Van Persie-dependent at the moment. He delivered something special. It was exceptional, but even he said it was not his best of days.”
And on a day or a match where nothing is working according to your plan you need a player like Robin Van Persie to get it done. Even visiting manager, David Moyes was full of praise for our in-form striker.
‘It was a terrific finish,’ acknowledged Moyes.
Matches like this frustrate at times because so much was hanging on a precipice. Like I referenced in the match preview, the win propelled us back into the top four for the first time this season. A loss or a draw would’ve cast some doubt on the progress we’ve made. Especially if either of those happened at home. Had Everton had a little more in the second half then we’d likely be talking about all of that, but they didn’t and thanks to a sublime pass by Alex Song and Van Persie’s form – we are talking about a strike we should be talking about in the next 125 years.
The buildup to the goal was classic Arsenal that resulted in 8 players touching the ball before Van Persie locked a 63 mph rocket past Tim Howard (who had no chance on the shot). It is the fifth goal Robin Van Persie has scored in eight games against the blues. And with 4 matches left in the year it looks like Van Persie could be set to join the likes of Alan Shearer and Henry in the record books for most goals in a calendar year.
About the match in general, I’d say that for the most part, Everton were lucky to not be down by at least 2 or 3 in the first half as Arsenal had a myriad of opportunities but Howard’s foot and some wastefulness by the home side set us up for some necessary frustration in the second half.
Overall while I thought our back line did well, we were missing the fact that our fullbacks weren’t joining the play as much as say a Santos or Sagna would. Vermaelen and Djourou played well but as CB’s it’s almost ingrained on their brains to stay back. It is something to look out for in the coming games. Still the two fill ins did well and I saw some nice crossing from Vermaelen. Djourou needs to work on his overlapping runs with Theo. He wasn’t all together there on a couple of them. Ignassi Miquel who came on when Vermaelen looked to get a finger in the eye also did well and looks more natural and fluid as a full back then Vermaelen did. (just saying).
In the end it was a win classic in fashion. It was a win I rate this as one we needed, especially with the traditional logjam that is the holiday fixture schedule. Also with our last big match of the season coming up next Sunday, away to Manchester City, going in to it with anything other than a win would’ve been a problem. As it is now Arsenal go on the road and as I will discuss later this week, with a good chance of taking something from the league’s leaders.
Until then I say we all revel in the goal of the season. I say we revel in 125 years of history and success and look forward to more. It is coming. It is more of a case of when.
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I watched the English cla$$ico yesterday and was distinctly unimpressed. The result was fine by me and I think we’ve now got a much more open situation at the top. Of course, If City can crush us at their place they’ll be right back on track. If, however, we can frustrate them (or better) it’s suddenly all a bit “Sheik-y” for them….
And, thin as we are, I think we’re relatively well set-up for such an approach. The four CBs across the back (with the Polish Joe Hart in goal) is as solid a defensive group as I have seen in my time as a supporter. If Arteta and Song can play some keep-ball and make an occasional snappy turn and set our forwards off, who knows…..Obviously we’ll need our finishing to be more RVP than RTG (Ramsey-Theo-Gervinho), but you never know. And while it’s still a crying shame that we made it through the group stages of the CL (that’s sarcasm, for my buddy, Stag133….) that sort of approach could be useful in the knock-outs, where clean sheets at home are used as tie-breakers…..
City are still in the driver’s seat and Chelsea, I think, got very lucky. Gael Clichy (who will sit for our match, unfortunately….) was the difference. If Plugs (Clattenburg) had been Foy (not Hoy….), David Silva’s copy of Luka Modric’s reaction to a bad foot in would have put the match out of reach. Tough luck, son. Probably doing the cannon-ball struck the ref as too obvious…..Chelsea, to me, look very scattered and the choices of Villas-Boas (try the decaf, my friend….) seem like they were made with a pair of dice. How ironic is it that the difference maker in the match (besides the ref) was Daniel Sturridge, the Man City academy product, who was sacrificed for all the mature, high money signings (Robinho, Adebayor, Tevez….) thought to be the answer up there?…..
Meanwhile, across Manchester, Darren Fletcher is the latest player out for the defending champs, while further up the Seven Sisters another riot threatens over the injustices at the past weekend…..Fun stuff and it makes things even more festive as the holiday approaches. So, big match coming (huge opportunity for the Arsenal) and I hope that we can continue in our quest to be the “little (selling) team that could”….
@HighburyTerraceSteve,
Another great blog within a blog Steve. Worth visting YAMA for that alone.
Besides Chelsea helping preserve our history the best part of today was the fact that on twitter Spurs fans proved what idiots they really are.
Feeling hard done by ref Chris Foy, they resorted to twitter to tell him how they feel. Problem was they were abusing Gold Medal Cyclist Chris HOY.
Chelsea beat City!
woot woot!
There are only ONE INVINCIBLE TEAM!!
Love it.
It just goes to show you how AMAZING it was that we went an ENTIRE SEASON Unbeaten. Unbelievable.
Let’s hope it turns into a title race!
:)
@stag133, +10000000. Was rooting for Chelsea for that very reason. Now, anti-chelsea all the way..
Santos getting Surgery. 3 weeks becomes 3 months.. fantastic!
@OziKenyan, no worries. Wenger says we have a really big squad… the Back-Up CB’s can slot over to RB and LB… and if our CB’s get injured or a knock… Song can play CB, and so can Frimpong…
He’s already said we aren’t interested in any midfielders…
and since we’re only looking for a “special player”… that leaves very few possible targets…
I believe our most likely route, and our best route…. in January, is to sell off Arshavin, Chamakh, Almunia, Bendtner… and take all the proceeds from them, and put it right into the pockets of the Board.
It will be BRILLIANT BUSINESS… and we’ll really be paying down the debt on the stadium.
@stag133, I think Areenal are going to have to pay someone to take Almunia.
@seattle gooner, And by Areenal I mean Arsenal. Whoops.
@seattle gooner, actually, he’s doing a decent job at West Ham, as they are in the PROMOTION zone in the Championship. I am sure we could off-load him for short money… but with all our keepers besides Sneezy injured, he’ll probably come back into the team!
@stag133, I believe he was on the bench against Everton. He probably would do better at a place like West Ham – there isn’t as much pressure or talent. Flappy would probably do better there too.
CG, I was at the Emirates earlier this year. Can’t remember seeing other statues. The only ‘statues’ were the busts in the executive entry I recall, being Chapman and Wenger. On this note I hope they add George Graham….. I know his era ended in controversy, but….. emm…. I think Modern Arsenal was founded on the man. Maybe they’ll add a bust when he’s dead!
For me, Adams is a no-brainer. Henry, a deserving addition. Vieira and Bergkamp served for most of their careers (including their prime years) and are sound cases. Then there are some of the old stagers from the 30’s.
Oh yeah- one thing I forgot to mention below about El Clasico: I don’t like Alexis Sanchez. He is a DIVER.
A flick through the internet pages and the BBC highlighted Martin O’Neill and his new role at Sunderland. It made me reflect again at how life is so very unpredictable despite our desire to write a narrative that looks rational and logical. A few years back O’Neill was hugely successful at Celtic and seemingly on an upward trajectory that would take him to, say, a club of Manchester United’s stature. Well….. Fergie hung around, kept nailing the trophies, O’Neill meanwhile transitioned to Villa and things went a bit meh. Our careers, in some critical yet undefinable ways, hinge on events that we do not control. That’s not to say that we don’t play a key part in shaping our own destiny – we do – but others and other events also play a defining part. Just look at O’Neill.
@Kiwi, I think he had trouble with one of those greedy American owners who turned Villa into a selling club…..
Deja Vu (sometimes, I fear…..) can be a real drag…..
To be fair, I struggled to stay awake for the game. Was tempted to go to bed at half time – such was the level.
But…… it’s not all about the caviar. There is undisputable value in the sausage and mash. Three points hard fought and won off a piece of brilliance is the stuff teams aspiring to be great need to conjour and conjour we did.
Our problem in this game was twofold. On the one hand we had four CBs across the back. Now, you can get away with three but four that includes playing Djourou at RB – that’s a bridge too far. So we looked clunky playing out of the back (because we were clunky). Our game needs passers out of the back and neither Verme nor Djourou looked comfortable in their roles.
Then, on the other hand, up front we have two players that aren’t confident bearing down on goal. Gervinho (who I like) hasn’t got his clinical shoes on, and Walcott (who I don’t like so much) is now in a space where he ‘wants’ to pass rather than taking the responsibility to score. So, unfortunately, a lot is being piled on Robin’s shoulders – and that’s not sustainable long-term. We should have scored 3 goals in the first half and coasted – instead we gave a masterclass in non-finishing.
On Henry and his cannonisation. I love Henry and I think he deserves it. But it must have been an interesting discussion when you consider the merits of Bergkamp and Vieira who in my mind played equally vital and magnificent roles in that glory period. Vieira was the captain colossus and Bergkamp the architect supreme. Perhaps they will be cannonised in future. Perhaps Vieira agitated for a (Madrid) move just a bit too much and a bit too publicly? Bergkamp – exemplary professional, a gem, and a class of player that deserves to be a cannonised legend.
@Kiwi,
100% agree about Bergkamp and Vieira. Does anyone know what other players have statues around the stadium? Or is Henry’s the first?
The defensive struggles you allude to worry me more than our attacking ones. I agree we struggle to finish a lot, but it seems like a temporary slump for Gervinho, and Theo’s lack of scoring is more about mindset than ability I think. He has the goods to score more, he just needs to think that way.
@Kiwi, +1 on Bergkamp, get him a statue now!!
I also watched the Clasico Steve. I always prefer Barca over Real, but yesterday I lost a small wager to my Barca friend b/c I really thought Madrid would have it this time. I lost the money, but don’t care since I’m glad Messi is still there to put Cristiano in his place, Pep is still there to put Mourinho in his place, etc.
Has anyone watched Barca at all this year? It’s interesting how they use Cesc. In the pre-match formations he is pretty much always in the CF spot in a 4-3-3. He spends some time here, but spends as much or more time dropping back, with the vacated space being used for runs from the outside in, by Messi and Sanchez/Villa.
Some people used to criticize Wenger for playing Cesc too far forward, so it’s interesting to see him played in the furthest forward position on the pitch. Truth be told, his vision, football IQ, passing ability, and shooting ability mean he probably has the tools to be deployed anywhere in the middle, from CF to AM to deep-lying passer. Now that he’s over his injury, it shan’t be long till he’s second only to Messi on that team.
@ChicagoGooner, yes, and he had the great header for a goal…
I too thought Madrid at home might finally take the Barca scalp, but Barcelona just turned it up a notch… even the first minute goal didn’t break their stride.
They are STILL the team to beat.
Cesc is home… and you can tell he’s enjoying himself immensely.
Where are those folks who said he wouldn’t have a spot to play … and wouldn’t start.
There is NEVER a reason to NOT BRING IN A GOOD PLAYER… in Cesc’s case…. a special player…. you find ways to put them on the team, instead of making the excuse, “where would he play”?
That’s why Barca are always among the world’s best teams.
@ChicagoGooner,
Eh? I dunno how the pre-match graphic guys put out the team, but from what I’ve seen of Barca this season, whenever he plays on the same lineup as Iniesta/Xavi, he ends up playing off the CF (same as Sanchez but a bit more central) with Messi being the CF (one who drops deeper then most).
Don’t think I’ve seen him as an out and out CF though it mayy seem that way at times when Messi has dropped deep to receive the ball and Cesc has seen space to run into.
He was boss for the goal btw. Broke up the play, started the move, then burst his lungs to get there at the end of (quality finish too). Good for him!
@ChicagoGooner,
On the Classico note, I wanted them both to lose with Cesc scoring a double hat-trick. BUt meh.. at least this way keeps the la liga interest still a bit higher than if madrid were 9 pts clear.
Sanchez and Di Maria were trying hard to outdo Alves and Busquets (almost managed it as well).
On that field, about the only player I like other than Cesc is Iniesta. What a master!!
@OziKenyan, how does anyone not like Messi as a player?
@stag133,
Meh. Forgot him. lol. Goes without saying I guess…
As much as I’m still mad at Wenger and still blame him for the summer fiasco(s) and the HORRIBLE start to the season, I also have to give him loads of credit for everything that’s been happening recently (7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 league games, a 5-3 away win over the Chavs, knocking City out of the CC, and winning our CL group). The last time I enjoyed watching Arsenal this much was in early 2008, just before the Eduardo injury, when we had a 5 pt lead over Man U going into March. I feel like that again.
But there’s also a gnawing sense of frustration as I wonder if we could be competing for the league title. It’s not that far fetched, considering how the team has been playing. Just imagine of Arsenal had sorted their sh*t out early in the summer rather than later. We could have been playing like this from the start of the season, building a huge mountain at the top of the table, rather than digging out of a hole.
I hope Arsene buys a competent back-up striker in January, since if RVP goes down we really have no one else who can do that job. CM looks good enough, the wing are covered, our GK is damn good. So after CF, the only other place I think we really NEED a body is, as always, at the back.
I’d like to see us go full-throttle for the 2 domestic cups this year since we don’t have too much hope at winning the other 2 trophies. We’ll see…
@ChicagoGooner, Ummm.
Chicago Gooner… ummm, while I agree whole-heartedly that we have to give Wenger major props for the recent form in the league…
ummmm….
WE LOST to CITY in the Carling Cup.
They knocked US OUT. We didn’t knock them out.
So, we have only 1 domestic cup to play for!!!
;)
Oh, I know we’ve been playing well… but not so well that the FA will overturn City’s win in the CC!!
@stag133,
Hmmmm… not sure what I was talking about there. I went through like a 3 week stretch where I couldn’t/didn’t pay attention to football/Arsenal at all. And for some reason I was under the impression we’d upset them. Oh well….
@ChicagoGooner, lol
@ChicagoGooner,
Not sure about our need at the back (provided injured parties will be fit and healthy by the time Jan window is coming to a close).
RB – Sagna, Jenkinson
CB – Verm, Kos, Mert, Djourou, Squillaci, Miquel
LB – Gibbs, Santos
The only scenario I think we’d consider buying is if the player in question will undoubtedly walk in past the above (not sure we’d make that big a signing) or if our injuries are really that crippling (hopefully they won’t be).
Purely from a numbers point of view I think we’re fine.
ps – I’ve been fairly happy with our defensive performance the last couple of months. I think any improvement has to be from work on the training ground and on team philosophy over personnel.
Its funny really, to listen to all the pundits who said Spurs would win the league making all the excuses after they lost today. Going on about how the Ref got loads of decisions wrong and how Spurs played fantastically well and were SO unlucky. The only decision I Saw the Ref get wrong was the Penalty, which wasn’t one, instead it was Modric being a diving little rat.
Still, 2 points behind Tottenham, time to take our rightful place in front of them. We’ll see how much their “fantastic” squad with “strength in every position” copes once they suffer as many injuries as we do. I think if Bale and Modric are out, only two players bearing in mind, compared to the 6 or so we have out at this moment in time; then Tottenham will really struggle. They can cope without Hand de Vaart, but Modric and Bale, I think not
Lets hope for a fantastic performance from the team next week, we’ll need one.
@George, George, you could NOT have watched the Spurs match, and make the comments you made above.
They were absolutely SCREWED… and on more than one occasion…
It was fun and funny to watch… but Shawcross TACKLED Kaboul in the box on a corner kick, and it was not called.
Shawrcoss used his arm to keep a goal out on the line… and that was not called…
They definitely had more than a few reasons to cry…
but it was nice to see another team not get the calls!
@stag133,
My roommate also watched the Spurs match and he said they got screwed, and the story I read also said they got screwed over. But I have yet to see any highlights of it so I can’t say anything for sure.
@George,
I watched the game and with Stag on this one. They got robbed (to my utmost delight!).
Adebayor goal should have stood
Kaboul got wrestled in the box
Handball on the line
Harsh second booking for the sending off
2 of the most clear-cut corners given as goal kicks (not a big deal in itself, but combined with everything else, the frustration from something like this goes a looong way)
Meh. Hopefully they capitulate rather than strengthen in resolve.
@OziKenyan,
Oh and Modric’s penalty, there’s some select clips going round showing it as a dive, but from my stream it looked legit (though he did go down easy).
Well done DAG. Thanks for the photos, etc. We’re fortunate to support a club with a big (and hopefully growing) sense of history…..
Yesterday’s was (sort of) a classic match with an opponent going for all one of the points while maybe trying to nick something more from a cross or set-piece. Who exactly was playing in their MF? (Answer: Phil Neville….and later Heitenga….) Their game plan seemed to be for Saha, Fellaini and Cahill to get it to the outside and then shuffle into the box and hope for a return cross. With the Wenger influence (as I see it….) fewer and fewer teams are really setting out this way and Everton at least have some good wide players and targets. We coped well, I thought, even with our four CBs out there, though as noted, it meant fewer bodies in attack. As great as the winning strike was I think some credit is due at the (extreme) other end. Without the organizational calmness and authority of the Pole in goal this is a match that would have been super-super nervy and could easily have been lost or drawn. As fitting as it is for him to kiss RVP’s left boot at the final whistle, the captain might’ve done the same to Sneezy’s gloves. Or, since the keeper never actually had a save to make, maybe his mouth…..(But that might’ve been weird, no matter how metro we are in North London…..) Arteta, I thought, also looked solid, very good with the ball esp. in our half, and a steady offensive AND defensive contributor, Everton’s loss being our gain….
And, of course, it was a very, very nice piece of business from RVP (and Song, who they left open and who looked reasonably creative all match) at the very moment when we were looking at a bench with just about zero options (for increasing the attack). Is there no chance that the Ox is ready to come in as a potential game changer? Is there no way that Makh can’t come in alongside the others (RVP, Gerv, Theo) to offer a very slight change of shape that might be dangerous? Park-Ju, I assume is already patrolling the border between North and South Korea….. Ramsey is an interesting case as well. He’s currently playing as our fourth attacker, has a great engine (gets relatively stronger as the match goes on….) but is a few years off his (improving) technique (including his loping stride)….. Do you take him off in matches where we need goals? These are all questions which need answers, I think. We need early goals and/or serious thoughts about our options in January (including loan recalls)….
Anybody watch the Clasico? Our boy Cesc (though, of course, he’s dead to me now…..) did well, better than that other guy with the greasier head who also used to play in England. Also, it seems good that we had our CL playoff with Udinese after they sold that Alexis Sanchez fellow….. Plenty of play-acting, but nobody was parking the bus in that match….
And in other former Gunner news….Seb Larsson goes from zero to hero in the space of a week with a late FK winner, Adebayor (spot kick notwithstanding….) and Gallas, more or less in the other direction…..