Everton 1 - 2 Arsenal
0 – 1 Sagna (35)
0 – 2 Fabregas (47)
1 – 2 Cahill (87)
Arsenal climbed to second place with a confident victory at Goodison Park, capitalising on the slips by both Mancunian clubs and leaders, Chelsea. The red carpet unfurled by the media towards Stamford Bridge has been rolled back and put into the store cupboard as the much-fabled strength in Chelsea depth proved to be no more than a fairy tale.
The recent travails of Arsenal with key players missing through injury was put into perspective; no side in this division can take the core element of their side from the pitch and presume that their replacements are good enough to win. Victory next weekend over Tottenham will lift Arsenal to the summit, albeit for a few hours, but will place pressure on the current leaders, their comfort zone entirely diminished.
The goals came from the unlikeliest of sources. Bacary Sagna has rarely troubled the scoresheet during his spell at the club, a baffling fact when finishes such as yesterday’s occur. Cesc Fabregas had not been in the best form leading up to the game, receiving confidence-boosting comments from his manager beforehand, justifying Wenger’s optimism over his condition with his fifth goal of the season.
As Everton pressed to recover the deficit, Lukasz Fabianski once more suggested that mistakes might be considered a rarity, consistency becoming more evident in his game whilst suggesting that any thoughts of an immediate return to the starting XI by Manuel Almunia will have to be put on hold. But Fabianski was not the only defensive player to excel yesterday. As a unit, the back four played well, the pairing of Djourou and Squillaci possibly gave their best performance in tandem with Sagna and Clichy marshalling the flanks.
The match started in a low key manner, ten minutes passing before an opportunity arose. Even then it was a half chance, Nasri’s effort block by Distin. Everton responded on the counter, Coleman outsprinting Fabregas to get to the by-line, finding the unmarked Cahill who headed back across goal, troubling the photographers more than Fabianski, such was the wayward nature of his effort.
Inexorably, Arsenal tightened their grip on the match. Arshavin bobbed and weaved before putting the ball into the crowd before a Wilshere saw an effort flick wide off Jagielka. The breakthrough seemed inevitable and unless the fates were fickle, it was only going to be for Arsenal.
With ten minutes of the half remaining, it duly arrived. Howard pushed Nasri’s effort wide and Arshavin had the presence of mind to keep the ball in, seeking a team-mate rather than a corner. Sagna was that man, thundering him shot home from eight yards, given the time and freedom of the area to pick his spot.
Jack Wilshere had been ineffective in the first half and was replaced by Denilson. The Brazilian shorn of his dubious locks, made an immediate impact. Forging toward the Everton penalty area, he slid the ball to Chamakh. A deft touch to Fabregas and the Spaniard flicked his volley past Howard to double the visitors advantage.
Everton probed, a free kick, held comfortable by Fabianski was their best effort before Nasri found himself clear on goal, Howard standing tall to block the Frenchman’s shot with his chest. Arsenal were threatening a rout on the counter. Fabregas crossed for the unmarked Chamakh, astonishingly the Moroccan put the ball over the bar from three yards, if that.
Everton sent on the cavalry with Beckford and Yakubu entering the fray. The former Leeds man almost made an immediate impact, the ball striking his back before a swivel sent in a shot towards the far post; Fabianski was more than equal, a firm hand saving. Pienaar drew another excellent save as Everton huffed before Saha found the Pole an insurmountable obstacle with the final whistle poised.
The Arsenal defence was breached before the end, Cahill finding space despite the defences numerical superiority, to jab home. It was the only blemish on a thoroughly professional away performance.
There was a consistency throughout the team yesterday. Despite this, the feeling is that the players had more to give, quite capable of moving up a couple of gears if required. It was not nor was there any threat of it being needed such was the Arsenal dominance in midfield.
With the internationals taking place this week, it was a good win, improved by Sunderland’s surprising – but thoroughly deserved – victory at Stamford Bridge. The difference a week can make in football has been starkly highlighted by Arsenal. The paucity of the performance against Newcastle contradicted by two wins on their travels. Transferring the form to home matches once more is the next step as the team seeks to build on these wins to build a long unbeaten run.
’til Tomorrow.
The absence of Huddlestone should mean there is more space in midfield.
Sir Bob has signed for Villa!
Poliziano….It might also mean that modric gets a look in at the canteen.
OOU – Having just written a potted history of what fourtet has been up to for the past 4 years before slipping into a delete-blackhole-screw-up… suffice it to say that his last two releases; ‘Ringer’ and ‘There is Love in You’ are – IMO – his best. Ringer (08) is like dreamier, moodier, techier early-Aphex Twin, and the latest one is him finally sort of embracing modern dance music so it’s got more melody and it’s a bit more dancefloor friendly, euphoric in places. Try ‘Ribbons’ from Ringer for a taste of that… and pretty much the whole of the new one! ‘Angel Echoes’, ‘Love Cry’, ‘Sing’, ‘She just likes to fight’ are the best ones. Amazing album. Can’t wait for Friday!
Aston Villa is going to be my 2nd team from this day..
I hope Bobby scores the winner at old trafford, a hattrick at chelsea, does what he does best against the spuds….and forces a few world class saves out of Fabianski..
http://newsthump.com/2010/11/16/japanese-space-probe-returns-with-ball-from-chris-waddles-italia-90-penalty/
Is it just my imagination or does Denilson look like he is much stronger this year? I think he could be partnered with Song away,and Jack at home.What say you?
I’d love to see more of the Jack/Deni combo, I know it was a weakened Spurs team in the Carling Cup but the pair of them totally bossed the midfield that night.
Personally, I feel we are expecting a lot from Jack. He should rest for a week or 2. So Song & Denilson against the Sp*ds
Mj, that pairing would work fine, I think, since they are a flair team that won’t overpower us in midfield. Denilson will be rested and Jack recovering from a knock, so Deni and Song or Deni and Rosicky would be fine.
Lansbury playing keeper for pearce’s u-21′s
Oh my God. I don’t know what to say. I’m so fucking sorry everyone.
I don’t know how to tell you this but I just dropped and broke my lucky Arsenal mug. In the week of the derby.
I’m so very very sorry.
Steww, did you have the mug at the time of the Chelsea, WBA and newcastle games?
If so dont worry it wasn’t lucky then!
Steww, perhaps your mug has prevented us from doing the double every year the last several? Who knows… We are on for the quadruple and I suspect at least the CC and one of PL or CL will be ours; losing the “lucky” mug seals the deal. Let’s be positive, though I understand it was probably a very nice mug.
Hey I never looked at it that way guys. maybe you’re right, maybe this is a new era, the first season in six without the lucky mug….
are you kidding me, Kitchen Sink?
——-
Limestone, why in the world would we rest Denilson, he has hardly played a full game..
mj_gunner, I think he means that Denilson will get a rest as he has not been called up by Brazil for the pointless international friendly madness!
No worries Steww. Spurs are going to need more than luck to avoid the beating that’s waiting for them on Saturday.
MJ,
No, apparently the keeper got sent off with no subs left. Apparently he wasn’t too bad. Did let in a penalty though. The versatility of some of academy products does put a smile my face though.
Worse miss ever!
http://uk.video.yahoo.com/watch/8566107/23052785
Shea mentioned in his feature on the Arsenal.com site that Lansbury likes to have a try in goal. Explains his skills!
4 E V E R
4 A R S E N A L
Mj, I meant he will be well rested and available, and won’t have international duty, as Passenal divined. I expect him to play v. Spurs. Jack suffered a knock and has looked a bit tired.
Denilson looks well fed bulked up a bit even Nasri looks stronger physically . this team is really taking shape in every sense. just need to tweak the home form a bit and we will be on the way to glory. For me the most consistent player is Song, this guy has really improved 100% over the last 2 seasons. I can’t think of a better holding midfielder at the moment.Not long ago people were bemoning Why Wenger did not sign Palacios but Wenger knew all along he has a better footballer in his ranks. Song is not simply a bully he has everyting technic, touch, movement and added goals to his game and they are not scruffy goals, top class finishing. Funnily enough he doesn’t get the attention of the ref, pundits or comentators because he breaks up play get the ball and its already delivered before his name get a mention. he keeps things simpe but very effective
Finally a decent keeper. Proper English keeper, innit? Henry ‘Spiderman’ Lansbury. Keeper crisis – SORTED!
We’re a Lee Cattermole away from pushing for 2nd place. Actually – a Gary Cahill too. The missing link. I mean piece… the missing piece of the puzzle. 2nd place here we come. Wenger, get yer chequebook aaaaat!
Half a second… we’re already in 2nd! Could go top Sat! What’s been goin on ere? Am I dreaming? Did I sleep?
(To the tune of ‘Who the f*ck are Man United?’)
Where the eff is Yogi’s War-rior?
Where the eff is Yogi’s War-rior?
Where the eff is Yogi’s War-rior?
I’m starting to worry bout him
me too as I am in need of my daily fix of ACLF!
thank fuck Denilson cut his hair. i suppose he is doing a reverse samson effect job. hopefully it works.
I just wish Denilson would put some passes together in the other half for a change. My nan could have stats like that if she stayed in her own effing half for effs sake,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards/O3cWx2N82t3R105V9z59
Wish we’d kept a hold of Mikael Silvestre now. Could’ve sold him to Chelsea in January. Alex out for 2 months. Terry out for a month or more. Paola Ferreira filling in at centreback… dark times at the Bridge. Thousands of siberian orphans are ecstatic.
nice to see chelsea have a proper injury crisis for a change. now they know how it fukin feel’s. this will show how good their squad is.
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