Eduardo Puts Scousers In A Stew
Dec 30th, 2007 by 'holic
The opening month of the year saw Arsenal claim nine goals in consecutive visits to Anfield, and the final performance of a mixed twelve months produced a stunning four goal salvo on the other side of Stanley Park.
In all honesty victory was not on the cards at half-time. For forty-five minutes Everton did what so many sides attempt to do to Arsenal. They ran, closed down, and in all honesty played better than the visitors. They were rewarded after Kolo Toure lost Tim Cahill at a corner and a combination of the Aussie’s high-flying boot and the head of Yakubu guided the ball home.
Fortunately they could not maintain that level of effort after falling to a sucker punch at the start of the second half. Clichy lofted the ball beyond the defence and the previously anonymous Eduardo produced a wonderfully cool finish.
Some have been overly critical of the Crozilian in his first season. He struggles to fit in to the way we play, they argue. I think we are starting to understand his role a little more. Although he may not bring much to the table in terms of team play, yet, his scoring record tells a tale. He has made just twelve starts and has nine goals to his credit.
The ninth of those strikes owed a little to some sleight of hand as he rounded Jagielka to give Arsenal the lead. Time for Adebayor to replace Bendtner, but for whatever reason the message didn’t get to the referee and the Dane ‘enthusiastically’ challenged Andy Johnson. No complaints about the second yellow, and for those who cried for more, does the name Carew mean anything to you?
A quick reshuffle meant no chance for Eduardo to complete his hat-trick. Adebayor became the outlet in a 4-4-1 and made light of the one man difference when he nipped in between Yobo and Howard to grab a comical third goal.
The numbers were evened when Arteta raised an arm at Cesc Fabregas. Now let’s get this straight. No, Arteta was not the catalyst for much of the nastiness that crept into the game. Cahill irritated and provoked, but it was the Spaniard who raised his arm, and like Bendtner before him he could have no complaint about the effect of his actions.
Adebayor and Diaby combined to set up Tomas Rosicky for a fourth goal in the closing stages. Whilst the overall performance may not have merited such an extravagant scoreline this was another clear demonstration that you need to have more than brute force in your locker to derail Arsenal’s title challenge.
Message to David Moyes, such a jovial soul in the last couple of years when they have kicked us to defeat at Goodison. No, you were not the better side. I’ll grant you dominated the opening half, but your toffees were oh-so-brittle in the second period when boys became men. No Cesc did not have a broken jaw, but it obviously escaped your attention that the rules do not require the mangling of mandibles for a flying arm to earn a red card.
Moyes manages the Merseyside equivalent to Tottenham. His charges yearn for the top four berth held by their more illustrious red neighbours. On the evidence of yesterday they have a way to go before seriously challenging at that level.
Happy New Year To You All
I’m delighted to say my eighty-five year old father is coming up for a few days and I will be taking him for his first trip to the Grove against West Ham on Tuesday. This will therefore probably be my last post of 2007.
I would just like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a happy and healthy 2008.
See you again next year!
14 Responses to “Eduardo Puts Scousers In A Stew”
Happy New Year to you too ‘holic
Arteta was lucky to still be on the pitch at the time he got sent off having already clattered Clichy in the face twice. Guess it was 3rd time lucky. Clichy made the mistake of just getting up and getting on with it, whereas Cesc made sure the referee knew about it. He might be friends with Arteta off the pitch, but on the pitch he is Arsenal through and through.
Eduardo is unlike our other strikers RVP and Ade who tend to make their own chances, but he is potentially more prolific- – and is far more dependent on getting the right service. Eduardo’s goals were very similar to those at Blackburn- he is very dangerous when the right ball is played behind the centre backs. Unfortunately he still looks very uncomfortable with his back to goal and with the physical nature of the game here- and will take more time to adapt. However, he will probably be less injury prone than RVP-
We should not get carried away though because Everton’s midfield well and truly got the better of ours.- even if they did not create too much. We need to step up if we are to beat West Ham because they looked very impressive against Manure.
Moyes manages the Merseyside equivalent to Tottenham.
Ouch!
Noticed the Arteta elbow in Clichy’s face too, was surprised to be the only one so incensed in the pub….
Good stuff with the ‘holicdad for the West Ham game. Hope he brings some luck too (as I won’t be there 😉 )
See you next year.
Have a happy new year!
I’m 1of da few(may be da only)gunners supporters-in my country…so.. nice to talk about da club i support wit other supporters…Ya…i must say-we only created 4 chances…and fortunately- all 4 were goals !…but we shouldnt take away credit from the Man who won us the game – Eduardo…yes Adebayor & Rosicky might have scored…but that was due to the pressure on Everton-created by Eduardo’s goals…interesting why Wenger didnt mention his name often – at the post match interviews…before this game-i felt-we badly needed a breakaway striker- who can finish well…u na..the likes of Torres, Henry, Anelka, Berbatov…I think we might have a potential in Eduardo-if trained well..But we still badly need Van Persie back…Adebayor…well… ya… if delivered a good ball-yes he does score…but hasnt created an opportunity on his own at the penalty area & scored – when its really needed…may be next season – he might be fine tuned….but we are at the top – THIS season – & to maintain this…Wenger NEEDS to shop – next month-he cannot be stubborn…YES-credit to him for the return that he has got up to now-hardly spending any…but for how long can he sustain…without playing the “Arsenal Free-Flowing Brand of Football” which resembles Patrick Viera’s Invincibles’ Side?…So We still need a quality breakaway Striker.ANd it seems that Fabregas & Flamini are continously being needed back….Fellow Gunners -your opinion on this ?
A GUNNER – Interesting post. I don’t necessarily agree that Arsene needs to bring in another striker. With Van Persie injured as much as he has been, it does merit consideration, but if he’s available, this would-be new striker wouldn’t get a game. Unless the striker is of extremely high quality, like Karim Benzema, I’d rather stick with the forwards the team has (Adebayor, Van Persie, Bendtner, and Eduardo). I’d like to see more of Bendtner, rather than bringing in a new striker.
go there a gunner
Happy New Year ‘holic.
Dudu’s conversion astounds me – he rarely misses when a chance presents itself, and he looks much more comfortable in the middle. The mistake that Wenger made IMO was playing him out wide left, where he looks out of place, resulting in criticism.
Moyes has come down with a severe case of sour grapes. Neville and Arteta dived, while he chooses to criticise only Cesc for his play acting.
wot more do u want
eduardo is just the player we need tell him to stay in the box as much as possible and not join in the build up play,,, he will score goals we have seen his finishing abilities
433…Ya true Bendtner has talent..but he needs more time..&can this time be risked this season-when we are having a golden opportunity by being at the top of the table? This season – i feel he should be used as an impact Sub-&remember it worked at the Spurs game..
But For a full 90mts at a Premier League game – when we are not fully established at the top??? may be not..& may be yes-next season..
Look at the other 3teams-they have “established” experienced strickers…Chelsea is going for Anelka..& Drogba will be back after Jan – Lethal Combination…Liverpool has Torres !
If Van Persie doesnt return..Wenger needs a magic playmaker at the opposition’s penalty area..We CANT afford another Portsmouth game..
Also i hope we wont miss Toure much..
having said dat…BOOOOOOS 2Man U,Chelsea,Liverpool,Man city…4spending much much more dan Arsenal…and dey are below us…i feel dey should donate d extra billions 2charity….it shows dat Spirit is important in football–and Arsenal is d best in it….but i might sound a tape-record here-but we need 2spend on a breakaway striker 2 b in da hunt…
Happy New Year ‘holic
2008~~ happy new year!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all gooners everywhere.
hope bevetof finds his big club. ha ha