Kevin Whitcher
It was a strange kind of game at Everton. Oddly, in the light of Arsenal’s midweek exertions in Istanbul, the visitors seemed to claw back a point due to looking the fitter side in this encounter’s closing stages. Certainly, Everton’s closing down as the second half wore on was far less impressive than it had been as they established a two goal lead.
There was an element of rotation in Wenger’s starting eleven, which may have been a nod towards the glut of matches in the first two weeks of the season. Koscielny was not risked and one suspects will be nursed through the coming weeks with concerns over his Achilles. Giroud and Cazorla were replaced by Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sanchez switched to the focal point of attack. The new-look line-up did not work. Ozil played on the left side, as he did for Germany in the World Cup. Sanchez received zero service, and Arsenal were restricted to questionable long range efforts from the Ox which sailed high or wide. Triangular moves around the box were easily cut out and the Gunners looked like a team bereft of ideas when faced with a half decent backline.
At the other end of the field, it made for equally unpleasant viewing. Arsenal’s defending for the opening goal warrants no further discussion, a real contrast to the focus demonstrated by the home side in the first half. The second goal undoubtedly should not have stood, but Calum Chambers hardly covered himself in glory during the build-up, his traditional major error per game on this occasion leading to a goal. Everton had two attempts on goal in the first 45 minutes, but it was all they needed. Arsenal looked in disarray, clueless at both ends of the field.
For once, Arsene Wenger made a bold statement at half time, withdrawing Alexis and replacing him with Giroud. It led to better chances, but Giroud was culpable of missing them all. The feeling that here was a striker who was a notch below what is required reared its ugly head, although as a target for his colleagues, he did serve the side better than Alexis, in spite of his workrate, had managed. It should not be forgotten that there were a couple of very close shaves when Everton had the opportunity to put the game out of reach before the Gunners managed to begin their comeback.
As it was, the entrance of Cazorla proved a positive as, allowed space, he created the chance for Ramsey to tap in. At times, it seemed alarming how few Arsenal players committed themselves in the box, but only one was required at this critical moment. I watched the game with Bernard Azulay of Gooner’s Diary, who pointed out that Ramsey plays better when Jack Wilshere is not on the field. An interesting observation I couldn’t argue with.
Given a ray of hope by the goal, the visitors continued to go forward, helped by Everton’s determination to hold what they had. What looked like an appalling cross by Ramsey was rescued by Monreal, whose own centre for Giroud was a very pleasant surprise in its quality, given that his colleagues often do not trust him enough to give him the ball when he overlaps. Giroud demonstrated his abilities as a physical target man in holding off Distin to convert on what was his fourth bite at the cherry in 45 minutes. Arsenal’s play over 90 minutes may not have merited a point, but in terms of reaction to going two goals down, it was undoubtedly an improvement on the collapse at the same stadium in April last season. The players kept going, and the increased space they were allowed paid dividends in the end. Credit to them for a result that is perfectly acceptable and obvious progress when compared to away matches against the top sides last season.
The real issue is whether Arsenal can improve, whether the obvious weaknesses in both their attacking and defensive game will be solved with more matches. They looked far from solid at the back and for most of the match, unimaginative in attack. Sure, four points from the first two fixtures is just fine, but to an extent, they have got away with it so far. It would not have taken much for it to be just one point out of six instead. There may be cause for optimism in the side getting points when they do not play well, but a deeper concern is whether they will click as a unit to the extent required to remain in the mix for the title. Currently, it really doesn’t look like it. Still, early days, eh?
Incidentally, I have finally relented and given in to the phenomenon that is Twitter, for the simple reason that it isn’t going away anytime soon and it is quite obviously a powerful tool in the social media armoury that I have spent as many years as possible resisting. Whether or not I am worth following, I am the last person to ask, but anyhow, you can find me on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01. It’s not intended to be an account purely about Arsenal or football, although these areas will not be ignored either.
The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale on Wednesday evening at the home game v Besiktas, and at Leicester away. It can be bought online here.
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Further Reading
A sequel to Arsènal – The Making of a Modern Superclub and entitled Arsène and Arsenal The Quest to Rediscover Past Glories has been written by myself and co-author Alex Fynn. It takes up the story of the club from the last update of the previous book, and can be bought online here.
