September 20th
Sol Campbell stole the show with a brace of goals that ensured Arsenal got things back on track with a 2-0 victory and that Everton’s miserable season continued.
We opened the scoring after around 10 minutes when José won a free kick, took it himself and up rose Sol to get there before anyone else to head into an empty net.
We lost Robert Pires after a typically Phil Neville challenge from Phil Neville and brought on Alexander Hleb. Reyes then played in van Persie but his right footed smacked off the post. Then after José won another free kick, this time on our left, Sol was first to the ball again powering a header into the bottom right hand corner. It’s the second time this season that one of our central defenders has scored a brace of goals and with the amount we’ve scored from headers so far this season it amounts to something approaching that infamous ‘Plan B’ people keep talking about.
The second half saw Everton concentrate on not conceding any more and for Arsenal it was just a matter of keeping the ball. Jens was spectator, José fired a rocket over the bar, Freddie hit the bar and at the end it was so comfortable we gave a debut to on-loan signing Alex Song who looked every bit as good as his famous uncle Rigobert but given the fact it was his first game I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt – although I’d much rather see Seb Larsson get a few minutes at the end if we’re giving them away to any old joe.
And why not Flamini ahead of Song? Anyway, no matter, but hopefully the senior midfielders we have stay fit. Best moment of the second half was José taking some measure of revenge on the kickings he’s had from the Neville sisters by taking out Phil Neville’s legs from underneath him. Yellow card, for sure, but a fun one.
Atferwards Arsene Wenger said “It was important to win and I feel we did it well and in a controlled way“, while two goal Sol was delighted with his return to the team saying “It’s been a long time but its great to be back. Last season there was frustration but it’s great getting back and being out there and happy, and getting stronger with my game.”
So three points and a good performance are just what the doctor ordered. That said considering both our defeats this season have come away from home it’s going to be just as important to get a result at high-flying West Ham this weekend.
