Arsenal 1 – 0 Everton
1 – 0 Bendtner (77)
A real end-of-season game with three points gratefully received at the end and not entirely deserved. A reasonably bright start faded, as Everton were more than comfortable in containing Arsenal’s forward line, Adebayor marshalled tightly by Yobo for the whole of the ninety minutes. The visitors had set their stall out to get a point or to nick something more, Andy Johnson denied in the first half by a good Fabianski save and then Denilson cleared off the line from the resulting corner.
The match had snapped out of its’ sleepwalk as Adebayor latched onto a through ball to force a save out of Howard, a rare opportunity in the first half. If the Arsenal back four watched their opposite numbers carefully, they will have seen a well-drilled unit in operation, undone finally by an excellent cross from Traore, met with a firm Bendtner header with thirteen minutes remaining.
Fabregas, omitted through injury, was sorely missed. Denilson, a decent prospect, lacks the authority of his more experienced peer as you would expect at this stage of his career. Walcott was busy on the flanks but made little headway in the first half on the left. Switching to the right later on, he improved although like Eboue before him, the tendency to drift inside rather than take people on was infuriating. The Ivorian had what could only be described as a shocker yesterday; little that he tried came off, the only cross I can recall reaching its intended destination was in the first half was glanced wide by Adebayor.
It is not just I who thought it was a poor match, Arsene agreed observing afterwards,
The fluency was a bit difficult sometimes and you could see that it was a bit of an end-of-season-of-season game. Everton did not open up at all but we were controlled at the back. We did not create as many chances as usual but scored a great goal and just about deserved the win today
A win that kept the team unbeaten at home in all competitions this season that goes some way towards creating an intimidatory arena for opponents to step into. The step next season is to turn some of the draws into victories to allow the team to push on for another tilt at the top spot.
Jens Lehmann got to say his goodbyes and deservedly got his applause for his on the field contribution to the club’s success over the past seven years, fittingly keeping a clean sheet for his time on the pitch. Arsene was fulsome in his praise for the German,
He was the best ‘keeper in the Premier League. He reads the game well, he is brave and had all of the assets to come into the Premier League because he is not frightened of anybody
His achievement in being part of the ‘Invincibles’ will not be easily forgotten nor should it be.
Mathieu Flamini need not expect such plaudits despite a good season with the club. Reports this morning suggest that Flamini has arrived in Milan for a medical Money talks loudest in his world and that is fair enough, it is his choice but do not expect any tears to be shed from this direction. It is a curious thing that Arsene has lost two central midfielders in six months and may lose a third although he said after the game that he would like the Brazilian to stay, hardly surprising given the paucity of cover at the club at the moment!
Reports at the weekend suggest that there will be two new arrivals at the club before the end of the month, leaving Arsene with the whole summer to find a new defensive midfielder.
‘til Tomorrow.
Categories:
