Arsenal Pitch Side

Arsenal 2-1 Everton

Arsenal rounded off a perfect week on Saturday with a hard fought victory over Everton which saw the Gunners move into top spot, albeit temporarily.

The victory was all the more impressive, given the fact that the team had put in so much hard work and effort to see off Bayern Munich in mid-week, while Everton had the entire week to focus on their preparations.

The heavy rain which fell throughout the majority of the game didn’t help matters either, making the pitch heavy and further sapping the Gunners already tired legs.

In previous seasons Arsenal would have failed to come through this test and dropped points, but at this current time, there appears to be a different feeling around the entire club. The feel good factor has returned as the fans and the players have come together as one in the pursuit of success. Over the years much has been said about the quiet nature of the Arsenal faithful, but when the fans see their players fighting for the cause and giving 100 per cent, they cannot help but cheer them on. In similar fashion as they had done against Bayern Munich, the home fans recognised the effort their players were putting in and also realised that their team needed their support to help get them over the line and responded accordingly. The scenes at the final whistle said it all, as fans and players applauded each other for a wonderful performance and a wonderful week. The message was clear, we are all here together fighting for the same cause.

As against Bayern Munich, there were heroes all over the pitch, none more so than up front, where Olivier Giroud came into the starting eleven in place of Theo Walcott and put in one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt in terms of work rate, commitment and effort. The Frenchman’s hold up play was exceptional, outmuscling the Everton defence time and time again and bringing his teammates into the game. The competition that has emerged between him and Walcott this season is extremely important as both are fighting over a single place up front and therefore pushing each other on to greater heights while also affording Wenger the opportunity to rest them at crucial points. Last season for example, Giroud would have played the midweek game against Bayern Munich as well as the following Premier League game, and his performance would have suffered as a result. However having been on the bench for the midweek game, Giroud was fresh for the Everton encounter and Arsenal reaped the benefits.

On the other hand, Mesut Ozil, who produced one of his finest games for the Gunners against Bayern Munich, running himself into the ground, was exceptional once again on Saturday. The German’s wonderfully flighted ball over the top of the Everton defence, picked out Giroud perfectly and the Frenchman’s deft flick saw the ball sail into the back of the net to give the Gunners the lead. Straight from the kick-off, Giroud’s immense work rate paid off as he chased down the ball, sliding in to win back possession for his team, getting them on the front foot once again. Seconds later Arsenal were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and Cazorla’s driven delivery was headed home by Koscielny. Two goals in quick succession, something that the Gunners have repeated on several occasions in recent weeks and just shows the great desire within this team at the moment.

Arsenal were in control at 2-0 and just needed to get to half time without conceding. Unfortunately they didn’t manage to do this and Ross Barkley’s deflected effort one minute before the interval made for a nervous second period. As the game wore on, the Gunners visibly tired and had to call on their immense team spirit to help see them through the game. The home side could and should have extended their lead on several occasions, as Giroud struck the crossbar, Flamini headed straight at the goalkeeper when completely unmarked and Ozil’s effort struck the outside of the post. However Everton also struck the cross bar through Lukaku and saw Petr Cech produce a fine save to preserve Arsenal’s lead.

Much to the delight of the Emirates crowd, Arsenal dug in and were able to see the game out for a crucial three points. Arsene Wenger must be extremely proud of his side and even excited at what may be in store for the remainder of the season. There is of course still a very long way to go but if the players can maintain their humility and push each other on then they really can achieve anything they set their minds to. There are tough games each week in the league and the Gunners will have to face times of adversity be it through injuries, suspensions or a loss of form, but they must maintain the fantastic team spirit that Wenger had fostered, as it is this that will see them through the difficult periods of the league season. After that first day defeat to West Ham, it would have been easy for the players to feel sorry for themselves and allow the gap between themselves and the top of the league to widen as it did at the start of the previous season. However this is a team that in many respects has grown up and they have responded to that first day defeat in the perfect manner to now sit joint top after only ten games. The Gunners have come a long way in a short space of time, now it is up to them to keep pushing forward.