Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal

It says a lot about Arsenal fans' reputation of moaning and whining when at 3-0 up at half time, the only thought that was going through my head was "we better not f*** this up". The point exemplified when at full time I was pissed off that we hadn't kept a clean sheat. In all honesty though, it was a stunning display by everyone. The starting line-up was exactly as I had predicted, showing the 4-3-3 we've become accustomed to during pre-season.

Almunia

Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy

Song

Denilson Fabregas(c)

Bendtner v.Persie Arshavin

Everton started as you would expect from the home side, on the offensive and looking like the home side. However things soon changed. Overall the first half was pretty equal in terms of possession and chances, but Arsenal were formidable and clinical in front of goal. Something that perhaps has been lacking in previous seasons despite the many created chances. The first goal was something particularly splendid. And actually something I certainly did not expect from Denilson. No disrespect to Denilson intended, I mean we have seen him score a right stonker in the past in the Carling Cup, but it's not something you see often and especially not from our tidy defensive midfielder. The goal's main highlight obviously was the strike, but the build up play (neat work by both Nik B and Cesc) was also worthy of note. Arguably another aspect of football that has been lacking from Arsenal's play is good delivery from set pieces. Luckily, two stunning deliveries from van Persie and Fabregas respectively led to two great finishes by our two centre-backs, Vermaelen and Gallas respectively.

The 4th goal came a few minutes into the second half, and was a simply breathtaking counter-attack. Breathtaking maybe not the word as it had started and was finished in less time than it took to draw breath. Denilson strolled out of defence after a period of sustained pressure by the home side. The Brazillian fed van Persie, who slipped it into the path of a typical late Cesc run out of nowhere and the skipper duly slotted home through the legs of Tim Howard. There was just about time for the inevitable Eboue appearance as he came on for the impressive Bendtner before Cesc scored again. It was good to see the side mix it up as the 5th goal came about purely by intelligent distribution by Almunia, once again Cesc duly obliged with a nice driven finish from around 20 yards out. Eduardo was on hand for the sixth, with a typical poachers finish.

Although it was a tad annoying that the scoreline was tarnished by a late Evertonian consolation goal, the defence could not be blamed at all throughout the match. Vermaelen's debut was mightly impressive, not only because of his goal. It was our first time to see him in a testing game and he did not disappoint. During the match he showed the uncanny knack of reading the game as easily as if it were a child's book. Vermaelen was also impressive aerially, more than making up for the fact he's by far not the tallest centre back in the premier league. The reason I'm singling Vermaelen out is for the mere fact that he was our summer signing, but that shouldn't take anything away from the fact that everyone in the defence was incredibly robust throughout. The midfield was tidy, creative and more than willing to join in with the offensive play, but the forwards today were simply phenomenal. Arshavin, van Persie and Bendtner showed sublime movement on, and off the ball as well as wonderful understanding of each other. It is easy to say that Everton were bad, and they were, but most of the time Arsenal made them play badly by harrying every Everton player and constantly closing down giving them no time on the ball. All in all, a brilliant performance therefore defensively as well as going forward.

And so on to the player ratings:
Almunia - 7. 7 is a tad harsh, but he did not have too much to do in particular in the second half. What was impressive though was, that when called upon during the rare Everton opportunities, he didn't make up for the fact that he had little to do by coming for a cross that should never have been his et.c. He was exceptionally dominant during crosses and free-kicks and, as an Arsenal fan who has seen a few too many goals conceded from set-pieces, for that I am very grateful.
Sagna - 8. My skeptical eye did spy a few embarrassing crosses but as whole they were better than any Sagna cross I can remember. Defensively solid as ever.
Clichy - 8. Was involved throughout the game, not only offensively but defensively. He showed today that he is the best left-back in the premier league.
Gallas - 9. Unbelievably impressive and composed. Always had the Everton front-line in his pocket. Supplemented with a well taken goal.
Vermaelen - 9. See above, in addition to added Kudos due to it being his premier league debut.
Song - 9. Strong, composed and solid but unremarkable. Exactly what a good defensive midfielder should be.
Denilson - 8. A slightly shaky start saw the usual underhit Denilson passes, but he grew massively in confidence after his goal and bossed the midfield. The first of many full 90 minutes to be expected from Denilson this season.
Fabregas - 10. Was relieved of some pressure due to playing with two more defensively minded players. This however didn't stop him from dropping deep to collect the ball, but did allow him to arrive late in the area, to great effect. He needed some time to grow into the game, but when it arrived, what a performance. 2 goals and 2 assists from the captain.
Arshavin - 8. Lovely intricate performance from the talented and gifted Russian. He has grown a great understanding between him and van Persie, and it was evident a similar connection has occured between him and Eduardo.
Bendtner - 9. Leighton Baines (a fairly talented left-back) just could not cope with with Nik B at all. Everything good, especially in the first half, came through Nik B. Shame he didn't get the goal he so thoroughly deserved (and perhaps needs for his confidence to stay high).
v.Persie - 8.5. It is evident that he will be the pivotal player this year for Arsenal. He will drop deep when the ball is at his feet and look to play in his fellow 2 forwards. We saw glimpses today from RvP in that role we all know he can play so effectively. Onwards and upwards now for our 2008/2009 player of the Season.
Subs:
Eboue - 6. Obviously Eboue had to come on at some point. He joined as a kind of wide man somewhere between midfield and attack. Didn't really have anything to do, which is a shame as he replaced the impressive Bendtner.
Ramsey - 7. Came on for Cesc so the skipper could be rested before the meeting midweek in Glasgow. Rambo looked nice and composed as well as showing some creative glimpses.
Eduardo - 7. 7 is obviously harsh for someone who scored a goal, but there wasn't too much other than that for Eddie to do. Still, lovely that his first premier league appearance for 18 months ended with a goal.

Right. Splendid. A wonderful game, and a wonderful performance, and let's hope it continues on Tuesday.
'Til then Gooners.