ARSENAL  (3) V  (1) EVERTON

 

18 OCTOBER 2008 

This was my first trip to The Emirates as I had not been able to get tickets for any of the previous Arsenal v Everton matches since Arsenal moved here.  All my Gooner friends are always telling me what a fantastic stadium it is – they are not wrong.  If Everton ever move to a new ground they should look to see what Arsenal have achieved.  We had a great view, very comfy seats and there were loads of ladies loos – not like most grounds we visit were you spend the whole of half time and beyond queuing to get one of the 3 ladies toilets available.  The only downside of The Emirates design is where the away supporters are housed – more of that later.

 

My dad, daughter (both ESSCA members) and a friend came to the match with me. We were feeling very confident of getting something out of this match – I have great memories of seeing AJ score a 90^th minute winner against the Gunners, in the snow, a couple of seasons ago at Goodison - so that was my prediction for the game – we would nick a later winner.

 

After our dreadful start to this season the players really needed to show how committed they are for playing for Everton.  We would obviously miss Cahill but I was hoping that Arteta would find the same form he showed last season – so far he has been way off the pace – his delivery/passing has been wayward to say the least this season so I was hoping today would be his game to start showing what a class player he is.

 

The game kicked off with only Yakubu up-front.  A slightly negative formation especially against a skilful Arsenal team – can’t understand why Moyes didn’t start with two up front.  Arsenal’s defenders are all tall & athletic so unless Yakubu received everything to feet, he was not going to get much of a look in. 

 

Everton certainly started the brighter, for once the players were not lumping huge balls up field and were taking their time when they had the ball – this paid off early when Osman and Piennar exchanged a great 1-2 and Ossie put us one up.  This jolted Arsenal – The Emirates was very quiet for a time but you know inevitably they will start to take a grip on the game.  Van Persie was having a great game but luckily early on he didn’t have his shooting boots on – one effort was superbly saved by Tim Howard when we all expected Arsenal to draw level.  Osman had another chance to score but his shot was deflected and then Lescott’s header was cleared off the line by Clichy. Arsenal were still attacking and Walton finally booked Adebeyor for diving.  A couple of his dives were shocking.  He is a good player so why he needs to cheat is beyond me.

 

We went in to half time 1-0 up.  We were talking between ourselves during the break and wondering what Moyes’ half time team talk would be.  I am sure he would have been pleased to see Jack Rodwell’s performance.  He does not look out of his depth and he put a couple of our other players to shame with his distribution.

 

Within minutes of the re-start the home side were level.  Right from kick-off Arsenal looked a completely different team.  The introduction of Walcott at half time made a real difference to them.  Nasri grabbed the equaliser and I think all the watching Evertonians knew that once they had scored one, more would follow.

 

Hibbert was carded for a reckless challenge which saw the majority of the players on the pitch square up to each other.  This obviously gave some of the home supporters an idea because where we were sitting we suddenly started to get pelted with all sorts.  I got hit by a coin and we had to withstand a torrent of plastic bottles, drinks, bread being thrown at us.  From what I could see the stewards in the top tier were just watching.  My daughter was a bit alarmed and there was a small kid behind me who looked absolutely petrified.  I have never seen anything like that in over 20 years of watching football. I had certainly never heard of this type of reputation from Arsenal supporters.  It has been badly designed that the away fans are underneath the home supporters – I would like to know whether this type of abuse happens at every home match.

 

All the goings on obviously distracted us from watching the game especially as everyone in front of where we were sitting kept standing up to look at the fight between some Evertonians and the Police.  We more or less missed Arsenal taking the lead through Van Persie.  By the time Walcott scored at the end, loads of Evertonians had already left.

 

Another defeat and home to Man-u on Saturday – great! - we desperately need to start picking up points. It is such a disappointment that we had such a great first half and then just buckled under the pressure in the second.  Can’t believe that our season is over and we are not even into November yet – I am just praying for a great FA Cup run – well we can dream!.