This was a match in which we really needed to win in order to heap more pressure on Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs in the race for 3rd and 4th spot in the league. Credit to the team for hanging in there and coming way from Goodison Park with 3 points. I know Everton had a perfectly legitimate goal by Royston Drenthe disallowed for offside, but hey, we get dodgy decision against us sometimes too. I don't like any team to drop points on such a poor refereeing decision.
That aside, Arsenal started like an avalanche, sweeping Everton aside in the opening exchanges of the match. Our movement and passing were Barcelona-esc (the cunts!) up until we scored in the 8th minute. Vermaelen scored a very good header from a Van Persie corner kick to give Arsenal a deserved lead.
Before that, Ramsey could have scored 2 goals and Van Persie could have scored 1. Ramsey lacked (a lot!) the sharpness. First he volleyed wide of goal and twice had his shots blocked. I believe had he gone for placement instead of trying to blast a whole in the net, he would have scored on the night. Somebody please show him how Messi, Higuain and Ronaldo do it in front of goal. Don't panic Ramsey... easier said than done...
Van Persie too was wasteful with his shooting on the night. He looked a bit uneasy, only Drenthe's shooting was worse on the night, and they are the only two who were shooting....
Unfortunately for us, after we scored, David Moyes spotted the fact that our defenders were not being hurried. He moved Fellaini into a more advanced position behind their main striker Jelavic. Steven Pienaar was also thrown more to our right, against Sagna, thereby pinning him back and forcing him into errors. Walcott is not a very hard working winger so once Everton closed Sagna down, Walcott's influence in the game started to diminish. In central midfield, Osman, Heitinga and the more advanced Cahill were instructed to close down Song, Arteta and Rosicky quickly.
It was therefore no surprise that after our 8th minute goal, Everton started to grow stronger. We lost our way a little. Our passing became wayward, we failed to keep the ball for long spells. Everton started to regain territory in our half of the pitch. The half-time whistle came at a very good time for us indeed.
The second half started the same way the first had ended. Everton looked the more likely to score. They hurried Arsenal in defence, pinged cross after cross into our box, but they just couldn't find a goal. Vermaelen and Koscielny were outstanding. They dealt with everything that Everton threw at them.
Sagna's yellow card just before half time and Pienaar's persistent diving might have resulted in a second yellow for the Frenchman, but he played intelligently throughout the whole second half to avoid a second yellow.
Kieran Gibbs played well. I am not very convinced with his defending, his flank was being well-exploited by Drenthe. Had Everton been smarter, they would have focussed their energy on our left flank and would have scored. But hey, they are not smart...
And so from being an Avalanche, Arsenal were reduced to melting snow. Ramsey had another average game. Theo had another average game. Van Persie had a poor game. Song had an average game. Arteta had an average game. Rosicky had a relatively quiet game. But the guys hung in there. Heads didn't drop, we kept on working hard as a team.
This game needed some guile and muscle in midfield. I really wished Diaby had been fit. Van Persie was dropping very deep indeed to add numbers to our defence and that was both good to see but equally worrying.
And as Everton pressed for an equaliser, my stomach twisted and tied itself into knots. The anxiety was too much. I kept checking on the Manchester City/Chelsea and Spurs/Stoke matches. And when Chelsea scored at City, my tummy nearly gave up it's entire contents.
But with 15 minutes to go, Everton started to get tired. Arsenal once more started to string some decent passes together. The melting snow snow started to morph into a stream. Gervinho and Djourou were introduced for Walcott and Rosicky respectively with 10 minutes to go. Gervinho was finding a lot of space down the left flank and set up Van Persie for a shot- which the dutchman skied. Nearly a river this Arsenal...
So when the final whistle went, I was not happy. No, I was just relieved!! Now, several hours later, I am feeling happy. I have looked at the league table carefully and I like what I see. Just take a look:
Barclays Premier League table 2011-2012
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 29 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 73 | 27 | 46 | 70 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 29 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 71 | 21 | 50 | 69 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 29 | 17 | 4 | 8 | 58 | 39 | 19 | 55 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 29 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 53 | 35 | 18 | 54 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 49 | 34 | 15 | 49 |
| 6 | Newcastle United | 29 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 47 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 29 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 35 | 29 | 6 | 42 |
Now, if this table doesn't make you happy as an Arsenal fan, considering where we were a few weeks ago, then you will never be happy, dear Arsenal fan. We are now in 3rd place, automatic Champions League spot!!!!
This was a difficult game that we won ugly! I sure as hell am not complaining about the 3 points, just trying to stress the fact that I could do without the stress of games like that!!! Well done lads!
Next up, Chelsea face Spurs. one of them or both will drop points. We face Aston Villa at home. Let's get another 3 points and create some breathing space between ourselves and Spurs/Chelsea.
Upwards march the Arsenal!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment