Part Two: Arteta’s return to Goodison – Reaction

Mikel Arteta’s return to Goodison Park was hardly the high-octane, emotional reunion it could have been as Arsenal ran out fortunate but deserved victors in a 1-0 win. Reaction to this one is multifarious to say the least, so it seems best to take it one step at a time.

First and foremost, the reception. Arteta was greeted warmly by all fans, which was pleasing – in fact it was the loudest Evertonian cheer of a quite miserable night.

Acknowledging the home supporters during the game as he was taking a corner was a nice touch from the Spaniard, so go on and prosper with our blessing Mikel, that’s the way to do it.

Next, his performance. You couldn’t fault it. Arteta moved the ball well, pivoted the play and provided an option for nearly every one of his teammates. Watching him intently in research of this post, the close analysis was thoroughly impressive.

Twice I counted more than 20 Arsenal passes from one side to the other and back again, and both times, Arteta had more than 10 touches – every other pass as he brought in the rest of the team alternately.

Control

It really was a masterclass in control though it would be disingenuous to omit mention of Everton’s lackluster showing in the first half. For the entire 45, the Toffees were sluggish, slack and downright lazy, not getting anywhere near close enough to their much more assured counterparts.

It was one of those games at Goodison where you could tell within the first few moments that we were going to concede the first goal.

And so it proved as Thomas Vermaelen rose between four Everton players to head home Robin van Persie’s corner. And though I had practically the best seat in the house to witness the Dutchman’s fantastic technical ability in swinging in the cross – sat in row 3 of the Paddock as I was – he could sod off for all I cared.

One other effect of my pitchside, Paddock location was an ability to monitor closely the performance of the linesman, as one tends to in such seats – which brings me to the game’s main talking point.

Leaving the crowd, my comment to my dad was as follows: “I really hope Moyes says something about the linesmen tonight, it really was disgraceful”. Having arrived home and switched on Match of the Day, the confirmation of that was galling.

Royston Drenthe was not one yard, but two yards onside when he scored what should have been a brilliant Arsenal-esque team goal of an equaliser. I was glad to see Moyes mention it in his post-match interview.

By his count, it was five incorrect offside decisions given against us, and that is so appallingly bad, it is actually quite suspect.

Credit where it’s due

It really is tempting to go into a big ‘officials-should-be-more-accountable’ rant now, but it seems a wiser choice editorially to give Everton some overdue credit. A fair crack of the whip from the men in black in the last two games and we could have secured a place in the Wembley vengeance-fest against Liverpool and possibly beaten an Arsenal side who fully deserve their third place in the Premier League.

In terms of the team, Jelavic was again decent but Wednesday’s performance will much more likely be filed under ‘getting there’ rather than ‘firing on all cylinders’. He went down far too easily though and that didn’t help the cause. Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines were massively disappointing, especially the former, and for me Moyes continues to mix up Tim Cahill and Leon Osman’s roles.

Osman’s slightly more advanced position requires pace and energy whereas Cahill’s move deeper is not so much a tactical switch but an admission of age. Swap them around Davey! Osman is much more the considered technician we need to see the pass and play it; Cahill has always been about instinct and action. Ossie can’t run and Cahill ain’t savvy -play to their strengths.

The two stand-out performers were Marouane Fellaini and Sylvain Distin, the latter in particular has impressed of late.

Trawling through the internet and learning of Distin’s one-year contract renewal was really the best bit of news in a while. Even when all other 10 players have been abysmal for long spells in recent games, the Frenchman has been a figure of utter class and composure. I would quite confidently suggest that he is worth the ticket price alone at the moment.

More or less perfect

Delving back into a bit of Arsenal analysis, prevailing sentiment echoes the Arteta judgement: you just can’t fault them. The key strengths to the Gunners’ strategy – ball retention, movement off the ball, stretching the play, supporting the wingers, recycling possession – were all more or less perfect, and as for the defence, well that deserves a paragraph of its own.

Laurent Koscielny was neat, efficient – he did not switch off for a second – but in Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal really have just the player they need. Several times, the Belgian absolutely slammed into tackles clearing out everyone in his path – nothing illegal, simply the aggressive statement of strength that Arsenal have lacked. Both full-backs also attacked and defended expertly for the entire game.

Having witnessed them in the flesh, take it from me that the statistic about Arsenal conceding just four goals in a run of six consecutive league victories is not in any way misleading. Arsenal’s defence looked so powerful, confident, switched on and cohesive that I actually felt sorry for them.

I was left in no doubt: a full-strength squad for the season and Arsenal would have been title contenders given Van Persie’s incredible goal scoring.

If the Dutchman stays next year and Arsenal maintain their first choice back five, with increased opportunities for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and also the return of Jack Wilshere, the Gunners have the makings of a great team. Good luck to them and particularly Mr Wenger on that one, I for one will be delighted to watch.

As for the Blues, well it’s not all doom and gloom, though it may be this Saturday when we face a Swansea side in the form of a fantastic season.

The Arsenal game will have prepared the players well for the long passages they will spend chasing shadows, which a compliment to the them rather than a criticism of us.

In terms of a Moyes report: we need a few tweaks but nothing more. Everything is getting there – at the wrong time admittedly – but we competed with the best team in the league at the moment and essentially, we were robbed, and there is no shame in that.

By Chris Smith

To read ‘Part One: Arteta returns to Goodison – Preview’ click here or to return to the homepage, click here.

Part one: Arteta’s return to Goodison Park – Preview

Mikel Arteta’s return to Goodison Park this week will be of tremendous significance to the way in which David Moyes’ team are perceived.

To honour that as an Evertonian, I will write a two-part series specifically concerning the Arsenal game. This, the first, will take the form of a preview of Wednesday’s game – there’ll be details of the second later.

Before I get stuck in, let me give you  a bit of background. Mikel Arteta used to be my favourite Everton player – one that marked a clear departure from the doldrums of Scot Gemmill and Mark Pembridge-era football at Goodison Park.

His ball retention and dead-ball ability, along with the occasional wonder goal and most importantly, his tendency to make the opposition look foolish and often inferior, rendered him a unique weapon in Everton’s previously weak artillery.

But do not let me fool you the same way, I must inform you, you have already been fooled. Arteta’s departure from Goodison was not the widely-reported hammer blow that seems to have been taken as read.

Detrimental influence

In terms of his influence, well waning wouldn’t do it justice; if not non-existent then probably detrimental given his latter years (yes years!) were defined by a chronic inability to clear the first man.

Hand on heart, I was happy to see him go, and certainly for that price. In terms of his destination, I genuinely feared that the big stage would show him up.

Gladly, that has not been the case and I have no problem admitting that.

But as far as I’m concerned, the lynchpin to Everton’s creative dimension was always Steven Pienaar and if not him then Leon Osman.

Arteta was originally brilliant but ultimately lazy, wasteful, weak, frustrating and unreliable, and for a cynic such as this one, the cracked paint that taints a pretty picture has tainted it forever, and no amount of former glory will ever restore it.

On the subject of how the crowd should greet him, I would lend support to Ian Marshall’s call for Arteta to be given a terrific reception. I certainly hope that is the case. All the hours spent cursing his rubbish corners were, on balance, ultimately worth the screamer against Liverpool, the unbelievable 93rd minute equaliser against Manchester United and the early years when he really was fantastic.

Tremendous form

Best not to dwell on the past though so let’s shift swiftly to the present. Arsenal come to Goodison in outstanding form: five consecutive league victories, eighteen goals scored, just four conceded. To make matters worse, even if Everton manage to take the lead, Wenger’s men will remain confident having come from behind to win the last four games.

As an Arsenal sympathiser, not only have I been impressed with them, I have been delighted. On a personal level, I was really disappointed to witness Andrey Arshavin’s poor form and subsequent loan departure – he was my favourite player in the world once.

Also, Arsenal’s failure to get the fourth against AC Milan was sad to see – it was so nearly the sort of YouTube classic performance that could have single-handedly eradicated their reputation as bottlers.

The ‘one man team’ tag is a slightly false one too. Imagine Liverpool without Gerrard, Manchester United without Rooney, City without Silva.

If Arsenal are a ‘one man team’, then so are all the rest, or are Van Persie and co simply their respective teams’ best players and most consistent match-winners?

And besides, isn’t Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain already (easily) one of the best players in the Premier League?

Fantastic opportunity

Wednesday’s game couldn’t be more important. If Arsenal win, they present themselves with a fantastic opportunity, one almost unimaginable during the miserable start to the season. Win would leave Chelsea with the enviable task of requiring victory away at Manchester City to avoid being left six points behind in fifth place.

Not to mention that three points would demand a home victory against Stoke of Spurs to prevent a side whose superiority seemed not only suggested but established letting slip a 12-point gap and third place.

If the will-he-won’t-he-yes-he-obviously-will Harry Redknapp-saga effect continues and Tottenham let Arsenal overtake them, that would represent a phenomenal accomplishment for the Gunners, given they were widely tip to finish fifth whilst Spurs were touted as title candidates.

For Everton, the message couldn’t be simpler: beat Arsenal and cultivate the uniquely Evertonian momentum that just might get us through against an in-form Swansea next week and most crucially, a buoyant Sunderland in the FA Cup quarter-final replay.

All pretensions at objectivity aside, we’ve got a fantastic chance. Arsenal have been brilliant as an attacking force but despite their decent defensive record of late, they have allowed plenty of chances. And now we have Jelavic.

Duncan Ferguson

Rangers are one of my numerous second teams ever since the days of Duncan Ferguson, and to a much, much lesser extent, Ian Durrant.

That is to say I knew what we were getting when we signed the Croatian and I was delighted. Day by day since his arrival, I have suggested to my dad that we have a great player and goalscorer in our midst and Jelavic is really starting to back that up.

I’d really like to see Leon Osman played inside to match the sort of role that Arteta will play for Arsenal. Not in any way a tactic to combat the Spaniard, merely because I believe the best assets to Osman’s game (article coming soon) can be utilised this way.

A night match at Goodison against one of the top four is just about as perfect an opportunity as you could be presented with to transform what has been a miserable week for David Moyes and his men into the sort of spirit-lifting spectacle that defines his reign at Goodison.

Optimism is certainly possible: Pienaar owes us one after the derby, Baines should take it up a notch as a consequence, but more so than anything, what will have me on the edge of my seat is the new man up front.

So you two on the left, Osman and dare I tempt the most curious of fates to include Royston Drenthe, my advice is simple: just give him a decent chance.

Part two will be a reaction to the game and Arteta’s performance in particular. You can expect it early on Thursday.

By Chris Smith

Premier League predictions

If you are a returning reader who has taken to offering me in good faith the slightest slither of the vast pie chart that is your total internet usage, then as this week’s Premier League predictions is a little longer than previous ones, I have a request: ‘please sir, can I have some more?’

Do not fear, there are circumstances far more mitigating than mere self-indulgence and egotism; there is a post-weekend, rearranged Merseyside derby for one thing.

To offer the most minimal, meaningless compensation for my decreased conciseness, I have formatted the page in what I consider to be an infinitely superior format to its predecessor. So if anyone reading this suddenly finds themselves caught in the throes of ‘format-appreciation’ to coin a phrase, then you can consider yourself lucky I’m so pedantic. Enjoy!

Last week’s score: 6

Saturday March 10, 2012

Bolton 2-2 QPR (12:45)
QPR were on the front foot for large parts of the game with Everton, and with a bit of composure, could have taken three points and though I wasn’t too impressed with their performance in truth, I believe the return from suspension of Djibril Cisse will galvanise the side.

Bolton did well against Manchester City in that they were not humiliated which really is an accomplishment considering the mismatch of talent. I expect them to fight here, a win would take them above QPR and possibly out of the relegation. The combination of desperation and crap defending will make for a good old relegation thriller.

Aston Villa 1-2 Fulham (15:00)
Fulham were fantastic against Wolves and the fact that they had 19 shots on target says it all. Talk about a replacement, after only three games, Pavel Pogrebnyak has just two less than Bobby Zamora managed in six months. The impressive victory continues an excellent spell of form for Jol’s men who have followed up defeat at the Etihad with three consecutive league victories.

The fact that Fulham are brimming with confidence (which really does serve as a testament to the sort of effect Martin Jol can have as a manager) and Aston Villa seem weak, incoherent and directionless, is enough to tip it in favour of the form side for me. Fulham victory and plenty of abuse to follow.

Chelsea 3-1 Stoke City (15:00)
This seems a bit of a strange prediction I think, but you know when things just seem to follow an odd pattern in football? I wouldn’t find it the least bit surprising to see Frank Lampard return to scoring action, Fernando Torres to come good and Chelsea to look like a decent side again. Sometimes a change is all that’s needed.

They looked good against Birmingham and a 2-0 away victory against Chris Hughton’s team is a fairly decent result. Juan Mata should have allowed Torres to take the penalty I think. I just expect Roberto Di Matteo and whoever he names on the teamsheet to be greeted with far more optimism than has been shown of late and that really could be the decisive factor in Chelsea’s revival.

Sunderland 1-2 Liverpool (15:00)
Last season, Luis Suarez had one of his best games in a Liverpool shirt at the Stadium of Light. For me, Suarez’s ability to take players on, outpace defenders and get in behind is best showcased away from home as sides tend to sit back and soak up pressure at Anfield. Last year’s 2-1 victory for the Reds was is a case in point. I think that Sunderland will miss Sessegnon as he has that natural ability to link the play and move Sunderland up the pitch.

I know that Nicklas Bendtner scored a penalty against Newcastle, and that some supporters fancy him to get a few goals, but in my opinion, he is such a rubbish striker that, in ironic contrast to the Dane’s peculiar belief that bad luck causes each of his misses, I believe good luck assists all of his goals. Martin Skrtel is one of the best defenders in the league at the moment and alongside Jamie Carragher, Liverpool should have enough protection for Suarez and dare I suggest Andy Carroll to go and win the game.

Wolves 2-1 Blackburn (15:00)
I felt for Terry Connor last week. Having earned a laudable draw at St. James’ Park, the worst thing he could have asked for was a side in the sort of form Fulham were. It’s just another unfortunate aspect of Mick McCarthy’s departure; he had to be sacked after the West Brom game, there is no doubt about that, but two tough away trips to Newcastle and Fulham are the hardly the sort of games you would mark down as confidence-builders.

Blackburn at home is however. Despite Rovers’ impressive away return in terms of goals, they represent a realistic chance of victory for Wolves. Level on points but split by the symbolic dotted relegation graphic of misery, this match couldn’t be better poised. I expect an exciting game and Paul Robinson to play well but Wolves to find just enough spirit for the win.

Everton 1 -1 Tottenham (17:30)
As a Blue, I am in two minds about this fixture. Firstly, the prospect of playing a Tottenham side hurting from the devastating efficiency of Manchester United’s attacking last week is a cause for concern. On the other hand however, a night match at Goodison is always a special occasion.

For perhaps the very first time living memory, Everton have a fully fit squad with long-term absentees Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell, and Seamus Coleman all featuring in the 0-0 reserve derby at Goodison this week. Obviously this is a cue for another injury crisis but hopefully it occurs late enough in the game for us to have already made our mark on a Tottenham side depleted itself after the withdrawals of Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon against Stevenage.

Sunday March 11, 2012

Manchester United 3-1 West Brom (14:00)
Given his long spell on the sidelines, you could argue that Ashley Young has had to establish himself twice at Old Trafford. It is a real indication of his ability that after a handful of games, he was able to brilliantly score England’s momentary equaliser against Holland, create Ryan Giggs’ 90th minute winner against Norwich and take the game beyond Tottenham’s reach with two outstanding goals. His return to the team will be like a bolt of adrenaline for United, hopefully England too.

I expect a more confident showing from United after a good win at Spurs. West Brom are a great side at the moment, they’ve been on top for every minute of their last three consecutive victories, having scored 10 and conceded just two. United look more like their old selves of late and this game represents a great chance to prove it. Form used to stand for nothing at Old Trafford, so let’s see.

Swansea 0 – 2 Manchester City(14:00)
So poisonous is the chalice that the Chelsea job has become that even a fledgling manager of a Welsh team, an ex-Chelsea coach no less, moved quickly to rule himself. It also speaks well of him. But of course, this is no ordinary Welsh side, this is a really talented, co-operative bunch and one that I personally am looking forward to seeing developed next year.

Despite their home record, Swansea do give away chances at the Liberty Stadium and Manchester City are too good for that, so for me, I anticipate a bit of a cagey game, settled by either brilliance or precision.

Norwich 2- 0 Wigan (16:00)
Despite just one defeat in four games, Wigan look like a relegation side and if we’re all honest with ourselves, they’ve looked like one for a year years now. Martinez is often lauded for playing the game ‘the right way’. For me, he plays ‘the right way’ the wrong way as his sides consistency lack both leadership and finishing ability. Going into a relegation battle bereft of these two assets is like entering a gun fight equipped only with scathing insult: you are going to get your comeuppance eventually.

Since the excellent win at Swansea, Norwich have lost three games in a row but I fancy Lambert’s men raise their game in the knowledge that three points will leave just two short of the magical though contextually irrelevant 40-point mark.

Monday March 12, 2012

Arsenal 3-1 Newcastle United (20:00)
Prior to the AC Milan game, I wrote that an Arsenal victory of any kind could really set them up to secure fourth place (Shameless plug) and I think the experience of Tuesday’s impressive win will bear that out. If Arsenal beat Newcastle, Alan Pardew’s men can give up on the Champions League dream and Arsenal’s concerns for the rest of the season will be focused squarely on London rivals, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Robin Van Persie will want to make amends for his costly miss, not that he needs to. And with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thankfully having secured his starting-place, I tip Arsenal to earn a comfortable victory.

Tuesday March 13

Liverpool 2-1 Everton (20:00)
I was really tempted to go for a draw here but having backed Everton to get one good result already in this piece, I think its probably wise not to get carried away. And besides, I expect Suarez to be diving left, right and centre, and we all know how that story ends.

Liverpool were unlucky against Arsenal as they have been for most of their home performances as an Evertonian, I must admit I respect the way Liverpool will always be on their game for the derby, especially at home. Without meaning to bleat on, I believe the difference with be that little goofy sod up front through whatever means.

By Chris Smith

Arsene’s blunder will be England’s gain

Arsene Wenger’s ill-fated substitution against Manchester United may well be regarded as a clear indication that he is out of touch.

Personally, I think it was slightly harsh given that the true blame must rest with Andrei Arshavin whose awful attitude is hurting the side this season.

As a huge Oxlade-Chamberlain fan however, I feel it best to concentrate on the positives of which there were many.

First and foremost, that was probably the best Premier League debut I have seen by an 18-year-old, certainly the best I have seen in such a crucial fixture.

It was not only the clear abundance of talent he has to offer, for that has been clear from his early days at Southampton, but his attitude that I find so refreshing.

Fearlessness is a concept often bestowed upon these type of players but I believe Oxlade-Chamberlain’s arrogance is what sets him apart.

For too long now, young English players have been consumed by pressure, both to justify disproportionately inflated transfer fees and to resurrect the ailing dreams of a proud football nation.

Case in point, Theo Walcott.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s positive endeavour betrayed an almost unEnglish confidence in his own game, that has been detectable recently only in Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart, and this season, in the outstanding Phil Jones.

Many say Oxlade- Chamberlain has an outside chance of making the Euro 2012 squad; if it was up to me, he would start.

In time, Arsene’s blunder will be England’s gain.

So impressive was Oxlade-Chamberlain’s display, so fierce was the criticism of Wenger’s decision to substitute him, so useless are his potential replacements, that the youngster has made himself more or less undroppable and in doing so, has bypassed the awkward developmental

Just to reiterate, what a debut!

Ashley Young’s performances for England during qualification have cemented his position one of side of England’s midfield, but the other one is up for grabs.

So who comprises Oxlade-Chamberlain’s competition?

Well, Walcott of course, and I believe he has a key role to play for England; his ability to stretch sides and get in behind them is potentially priceless in tournament football.

But then we have James Milner, Adam Johnson, Stewart Downing and Aaron Lennon, and though the former pair fall into the Walcott category in terms of England’s future, I believe the latter two have had ample chance to impress without ever sufficiently succeeding.

Lennon’s form for Spurs has been good enough to keep him in the picture, but surely the curtain has drawn on Downing’s England career.

Oxlade-Chamberlain appears every inch the attacking solution to years upon years of drearily defensive England displays.

And to consider that by next summer Capello’s men could line up with the Arsenal man on the right, Young on the left, Jack Wilshere, Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker in the centre, with Wayne Rooney up front, you would have to say that really would give us a more realistic chance of success than at any other time in the last 20 years.

So chin up Arsene, silver lining and all that…

 

By Chris Smith