Not an easy game this, with one or two players in slightly stuttering form. It was a strange contrast to the obvious party atmosphere around the ground before kick-off.
What did work well for the most part was the re-organized back four. Having four central defenders didn’t prove a problem against Everton. Apart from Djourou losing track of things a bit towards the end, they were pretty faultless. Obviously they are going to have to work a lot harder next Sunday against Manchester City.
The goal, when it came, was a peach. Such technique from two players. First, an inch perfect pass from Song. Second, well what you say? That’s got to such a hard thing to do. Control the pace and direction of a volley on a ball coming from behind you and across your body. Most players wouldn’t even have attempted it. If Van Persie had instead taken a touch just to receive and control it we’d have been impressed, but he whacked it into the far corner of the goal. Perfection.
Alex Song won our man of the match poll. It was interesting, in the few hours straight after the game, Van Persie was clearly ahead, but by this morning Song was the winner. I guess the voting immediately after the game is dominated by those who have seen the scored and scorer. Then later when people have seen the game on TV or on-line you get a more considered opinion.
All-in-all, a good day’s work against a well organized backdrop of nostalgia.
I’m still in two minds about the statues. Herbert Chapman? Obviously. Adams and Henry, well why not, but what about Brady, George and Bergkamp? Maybe it’s just an age thing. But life-size lumps of bronze are a long-term thing anyway.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m pondering rather than whinging! It was all a great celebration of by far the greatest club the world has ever seen.
So today we are fourth. We could still be fourth by the end of tomorrow of course if Manchester City beat Chelsea. Is that what we want?
When I joked about this to a Chelsea fan at work his reply was: “so Arsenal gave given up on winning the title then?”. I guess the honest answer, after the fiasco of the Fabregas/Nasri business and the ensuing disastrous start to the season, is that I probably have and that I will be well satisfied with a top-four finish.
I do think that we could still do better than fourth. Chelsea may have got some confidence and organisation back but there are some serious holes in their squad. Manchester United have some gaps too. There’s still plenty to play for. But is the top spot still on offer? Could Man City choke?
We’ll have to see, and Arsenal fans have seen such a thing happen to league leaders! Today though, fourth looks pretty good and I’m content to aim for one place gain at a time.
