I think the first thing that needs to be said about yesterday’s result is how much we clearly missed Adebayor and Toure. It might have been eight with them and you know goal difference might just be the difference between winning and losing this league. Wenger out.
But seriously, what a way to start the season. A truly fantastic performance against a very good team. Don’t let anyone tell you it just was down to Everton being bad. Everton were bad because we made them look bad. We harried, competed, won tackles and headers and the only little spell of pressure they had in the game, some time in the first half if I recall correctly, was when we stood off them. Once we snapped out of our doziness Everton were under the cosh again.
The goals were awesome. I love goals. Three in the first half, three in the second. The first came from Denilson after great work by Bendtner and the Brazilian’s finish from Cesc’s lay-off was outstanding. More of that please, Den.
Impressive debutant Thomas Vermaelen got number two. In the pub I was commenting how the lad likes a header. He was jumping and leaping and doing somersaults and everything. Robin van Persie’s free kick found him at the back post, his jump was perfectly time and the headed finish was outstanding.
William Gallas wasn’t to be outdone by his new partner though heading home a Cesc free kick and then the captain took over. The fourth goal was just an Arsenal goal. From back to front, great passing, about three nutmegs (including the finish) and just beautiful to watch. He got his second, dedicated to Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque who died last week, when Everton just stood off him and allowed him to run all the way from our half to the edge of their box. It would have been rude of him not to finish it the way he did.
And there was still time for more. Andrei Arshavin’s toe-poke hit the post but master poacher Eduardo scored on his first Premier League appearance since having his leg shattered by that almighty cunt Martin Taylor. He is back. For once viral media didn’t lie to us. And because we felt a little bit sorry for Everton and the 12 fans that remained in Goodison Park we let them score one. A clean sheet would have been nice but I’ll concede every single week if we get 6 up the other end.
Overall it was a truly outstanding way to start to the season. A really solid team performance, we were good defensively, Vermaelen looks a player, obviously we clicked as an attacking force and the new formation seems to suit us very well indeed. At one stage towards the end of the first half we attacked down our right, crossed the ball to the back post and there was Cesc Fabregas looking to score with a header. It seems fluid and effective and it’s very encouraging for the rest of the campaign.
Scoring 6 at Goodison Park is no mean feat, it’s a statement of intent for the season ahead and I’m absolutely delighted. It’s brilliant preparation for the big game on Tuesday too.
Afterwards Arsene Wenger said:
It was a good team performance. I feel overall there is still room for improvement, not on the scoreline but in what we did today. But overall I am very happy with the team attitude basically, and we look like we have matured. And it’s a good basis to continue to improve and to work on what we want to do.
Frankly, we can’t have any complaints whatsoever with how we opened our season. I’d have been happy with 1-0, to smack 6 past a good Everton side is fantastic. And may, just possibly, have contributed to my hangover this morning.
I could go around the other news this morning but what’s the point? Is anybody interested in anything Cashmaneul Moneybayor says about Cesc? No they are not because he is a big stupid cunt who is about as interesting as watching toe-nails grow.
All the talk this morning should be about our team because they deserve all the praise they get today. Football’s back, the Arsenal are back, and I love it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to sit in a chair and shake for a while.
