If this was to be the year that the infallible Top Four was penetrated, consensus opinion prior to today was that Arsenal would be the team to miss out. Arsenal fans this summer have been unnerved by the sales of Kolo Toure and Emanuel Adebayor, the uncertain future of Cesc Fabregas, and the questionable fitness of a number of star players. Arsene Wenger's stubborn transfer policy has also come under question, with Belgian Thomas Vermaelen the only addition thus far in the Summer transfer window. To cut a long story short, there were a lot of questions being asked of Arsenal as they opened their campaign at Goodison Park, which is never an easy place to travel. Fans will be hugely reassured therefore, by the 6-1 demolition that Wenger's side produced away from home, and unless Manchester United can hit Birmingham for 5+ goals tomorrow, Arsenal will be sitting at the top of the Premier League following the first weekend of fixtures.
Where to start?
Going forward, Arsenal were as slick and free-flowing as ever against Everton; the prodigal Cesc Fabregas was superb in linking Arshavin and Bendtner on the flanks with Van Persie up top. It was at the back however, that Arsenal looked as assured as they have in years. If Wenger can keep the partnership of Gallas with Vermaelen together and free of injury, it could hold the key for Arsenal in not only securing a top four finish, but also in challenging for silverware both domestically and in Europe. From front to back, it was an almost flawless performance that made Everton, a side that harbors genuine ambitions for a top 5 finish, look distinctly average.
- On Song
Both Alex Song and Denilson are players that clearly have the confidence of Arsene Wenger, yet have never truly been accepted by the fans in the same vein as other midfielders such as Fabregas and Nasri. Both players have shown glimpses of their undoubted ability, but have been haunted by inconsistency since breaking into the Arsenal first team. Today was arguably Song's finest game in an Arsenal shirt, and could stake a strong claim for today's man-of-the-match. With all the talk of Yaya Toure, Marcos Senna and Daniele De Rossi being the kind of players that Arsenal lack, Alex Song repaid Wenger's faith today with a hugely effective performance picking up loose balls, winning tackles and triggering attacks with his distribution. Denilson also repaid his manager's faith, with a fantastic shot that curled away from goalkeeper Tim Howard to put Arsenal 1-0 up and on their way to victory.
- Wounds to lick.
Under Moyes, Everton have frequently experienced shaky starts and gone on to finish high up the table due to their consistency over the course of the season, so the manager will be quick to reassure his players that there are still 37 games to go and everything to play for. This defeat however was more than just a loss, and the humiliation of a 6-1 opening day defeat at home will serve as a huge mental blow to Moyes' side. While Everton have not become a bad side overnight - the likes of Pienaar and Fellaini showed that they still have the necessary class to compete in the Premiership - the nature of his side's capitulation will worry Moyes. As soon as the first goal went in, Everton forgot the basics and lost any shape and organisation that they held for the first half an hour. Defensively, Everton are usually a solid unit, but looked distracted and uncertain in the face of Arsenal's pass-and-move attacks. The inclusion of Joleon Lescott in the line-up surprised many, after Lescott's apparent admission to Moyes in private that he didn't feel mentally prepared to play, and the defender's body language suggested that Moyes was indeed wrong to play him.
- Business to be done.
It is clear then that Lescott must be sold. Moyes' comments with regards to the manner of Man City's approach for Lescott are admirable, as he digs in his heels in an attempt to fight City off until the close of the transfer window. £20m for a player who cost less than a quarter of that is good business for Everton though, who must seal the deal within the week to ensure that not only the burden of uncertainty is lifted from the squad, but also to enable Moyes to use the money on a replacement. Michael Turner of Hull would fit the bill. Moyes has built his team on signing standout players from lower teams (Lescott from Wolves, Jagielka from Sheffield United and Tim Cahill from Millwall), and Turner has earned a shot at playing for a top half club with his consistent Premiership performances last season.
- You must be Jo-king.
Moyes not only got his selection wrong in playing Lescott, but also in preferring Jo to Louis Saha. While both are similar players, Saha is a player that Everton should always play on the rare occasions that injuries allow him to be made available. Saha is faster, stronger and has a better leap than Jo, who was dominated all game by Arsenal's debutant Vermaelen. Saha staked a claim for a first team place with his late consolation goal, and showed in last May's FA Cup Final what he can do to top class defences when given the service.
- Final thoughts.
Arsenal fans will now be excited about a season that just 24-hours ago they were most probably dreading. They manhandled Everton today without Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky. As with all of the Top Four sides, injuries will be key this season, and Arsenal can look forward to a far more successful season than most expected if they can keep free from injuries. Everton meanwhile must regroup and go back to basics. They can take very few, if any, positives from today's performance, which was horrible in pretty much every way. So long as the uncertainty surrounding Lescott is removed however, and Moyes is able to repair the damage to his team's spirit, there is no reason why Everton cannot achieve great things this season, but to do so they will have to display far more commitment and organisation than they did today.
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