Written by George Sezer Wednesday, 02 February 2011 02:45

GunnerTalk Blog

Match Goals

By George Sezer

I was surprised to see Rosicky starting the game instead of Arshavin for the injured Nasri. Rest of the team lined up as expected, all the big Guns returning to action after being rested for the last weekend’s cup tie.

Arsenal started the game sluggishly; probably 9 games in January (second highest in the history of the league) had something to do with it. Everton aware of that fact used strong arm tactics to get the better of Arsenal, especially in the middle of the field. No complaints there as they were not nasty but very physical. Also, that awful referee did not help the situation by some of the weirdest decisions which started with the booking of Wilshire for a nothing challenge. Our teenage midfielder struggled to impose himself in the game as a result and was out powered by their midfielders for the most of the game. I am sure he will take this as a learning curb and use it to become an even better player.

We managed to get a grip of things as the half wore on and started creating chances. A great Arsenal move saw Fabregas scuffing his shot wide after receiving the ball from Van Persie’s delicious back heel. Walcott had his low drive saved by Howard shortly afterwards when tenacious work by Song set the young forward free.

Then came the one of the worst decisions you ever likely to see from a Premiership referee; Lee Mason thought if a pass to a forward who is blatantly 2 yards off side is deflected from a defender, he suddenly becomes onside. No Mr Mason, this is how it is: If a player is behind the last defender when the pass is played to him, he is OFF SIDE! Yes, Even if the ball touches a defender on the way (unless that defender takes the full control of the ball and passes it to the forward). Clear enough!? And there is this ‘playing the advantage’ rule... but I won’t go into that one because it might be a bit too complicated for him.

I should not complain as his dreadful decisions galvanized the Emirates crowd like I have never seen before; the place was banging for the rest of the game. I was embarrassed for him when the whole stadium chanted “1-0 to the referee” and “The referee is a wanker” in one voice for long periods.

Pushed on by the crowd the team went searching for the equalizer. Djourou missed narrowly with a header from a Van Persie Corner, Rosicky’s played a brilliant through ball to Fabregas but the captain missed the target, Wilshere played a great, Fabregas like over the top ball to RVP who in turn chested the ball down brilliantly but got too close to their keeper and ended up lobbing the ball over the bar.

Everton played their part in the highly competitive first half too. They did their homework and knew that half of the goals Arsenal conceded came from set pieces (highest in the league, obviously) and they looked dangerous in that department. Szczesny made a great block when Baines of all people won an arial battle to flick a high ball into Bilyaletdinov’s path.

Diaby replaced Song, who had a thigh injury for the second half as Arsenal started from where they left off from the first half; attacking. But it wasn’t until Arshavin replaced Rosicky in the 62^nd minute that we started looking really dangerous and the rejuvenated Russian got into action almost straight away when he found Van Persie with a lovely chip over the defender. The Dutchman’s chest control was sublime but unfortunately his shot on the turn wasn’t.

Arsene Wenger had nothing but a win in his mind when he introduced Bendtler in place of Wilshere in the 69^th minute and within a minute we scored our well deserved equalizer. Who else but Fabregas played one of his over the top passes for Arshavin and the Russian finished it with a lovely side food volley.

Walcott’s pace started causing lots of trouble for Everton defence, Bendtler almost profited from one of his runs when he tried an overhead kick but the ball unluckily ended up in Howard’s hands and Van Persie nearly scored from a free kick when Walcott was sliced down from behind by Osman, 25 yards from their goal. It would have been beautiful if the classy Dutchman had scored the winner in his 100^th Premiership start for Arsenal. He did the next best thing when he planted the resulting corner on Koscielny’s head for our winner in the 76^th minute. His 3^rd goal of the season, 2 in the EPL, not bad for a centre back.

The boys defended admirably for the reminder of the game for a big, big win and showed us they are ready to fight for their right this season.