Post Match: Arsenal vs. Everton (4-1)

By: Dan | December 29th, 2007

An unusual win. Three goals off long balls (one from Almunia) and no creativity or spark until Fabregas and Hleb came off. After going 1-0 down in the first twenty minutes due to some sorry defending from a corner, it seemed as the optimistic 4-4-2 we used, with Bendtner, Eduardo and Diaby all starting, was going to fail . The play was lackluster without any movement in the final third, and I was honestly happy to get to halftime only one goal down.

Then, Eduardo. Sheer class. Arsenal’s attempts at using goal poachers have been abysmal in the past (that “fox in the box” Francis Jeffers, at 26, now playing at the powerhouse Sheffield Wednesday), but Eduardo seems to be the real deal. His time at left wing giving a false impression, Eduardo seems to be the most natural finisher in the team. His link-up play and positioning is fine, but out of his two chances today, he nailed both. His first goal was remarkable for this team, his straight forward control and clinical finish utterly unknown to the likes of Adebayor and Robin van Persie. His second goal was simply stunning, the soft touch around Jagielka reminiscent of Bergkamp.

Sadly, Bendtner’s long awaited league start was less then impressive. The fine touches and confident passing he showed as a sub were nonexistent under withering Everton pressure, and in the first half he was invisible. This frustration boiled over in his second yellow card and his subsequent dismissal as Adebayor was waiting to replace him. Instead Eduardo had to be withdrawn, depriving him of the hattrick he could have had. (And surely would have had, given the state of Everton’s defense.)

The next goals relieved my anxiety though, as Adebayor capitalized on terrible communication by Yobo and Tim Howard to walk the ball in, and Rosicky delivered clinically from 18 yards out in extra time. The scoreline is certainly flattering to Arsenal, but I don’t care. It was three points, without any Arsenal style or flair, but still enough to take back first place after Manchester United fell to West Ham 2-1.

Highlights:

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=DMXV95BZ

Oh…and speaking of a weird game, Clichy delivered two assists for Eduardo with two perfect 40-yard passes. This from the guy who can’t cross to save his life.

The worst part of the game was from Fabregas. Arteta did elbow him in the face, but Fabregas’ exaggerated fall and rolling was unnecessary. This to his international colleague as well. Cesc had a terrible game, and seemed to be unnecessarily antagonizing Everton. More unpleasant conduct from someone many Arsenal fans think should be a future captain. (Arteta also played Fabregas out of the park.)

Fortunately, this string of away games is now over, and we have West Ham at the Emirates on Tuesday.

——————————————————————————————-

Now for a little news around the Emirates. A certain someone is coming to train with Arsenal over January. David Beckham is using Arsenal’s training grounds to work off a little of the fat, and maybe teach the lads a thing or two. (Hopefully more about underwear modeling, now that Freddie Ljungberg is gone.)

Finally, some long needed talk from Le Boss. In response to the seemingly perpetual bitching of Diarra, Wenger has finally stated the obvious. The guy’s 22, playing semi-regularly for the best team in the Premiership, under someone more then happy to give young players time on the field. Now if Diarra just knocks that message into Diaby’s head, I think we’ll be fine.

The rest of the article is interesting as well, as Lehmann’s departure seems more and more imminent.

Going to the Arsenal game? Find out how to get to North London and where to stay near Emirates Stadium.
Buy tickets to Arsenal games.