After unveiling three new statues yesterday, Arsenal continued the celebration of their 125th anniversary pre-match with a variety of events; the Royal Artillery and Orchesta performed and a wide range of Gunners legends from yesteryear ranging from Frank McLintock to Lauren were welcomed onto the pitch. Szczesny; Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Djourou; Song, Arteta, Ramsey; Gervinho, van Persie (C) and Walcott were welcomed out to rapturous applause as the Arsenal fans begun the game in high spirits. Everton started with Howard; Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Hibbert; Coleman, Neville (C), Cahill, Fellaini, Bilyaletdinov and Saha as they attempted to match up to Arsenal in a 4-5-1 formation.

In a quiet start to the game, the only major events came down the Arsenal right as Theo Walcott was played through on goal twice in the first seven minutes. However the high Everton line stepped up well meaning the Englishman was caught offside on both occasions. This bold defensive tactic was extremely risky and you got the feeling that it would backfire if it was continued for the whole game. Johan Djourou and Louis Saha collided as they competed for an aerial ball, resulting in an Arsenal free kick and both men requiring treatment. The ball was bouncing around the centre of the field as both teams struggled to hold onto the ball – when either side did manage to get it forward the crosses were easily dealt with by keepers Szczesny and Howard. Walcott was again caught offside, but you got the feeling that the risky Everton defensive tactic was going to backfire as the winger would eventually time his run right.

Walcott, this time onside, was played in down the right and with both Ramsey and Gervinho were the Gunners seemed destined to score. Walcott squared it midway inside the area and Ramsey chose to leave it with Gervinho following in right behind him. However Jagielka slid in and just got his toe on the ball to just take it away from the Ivorian. Gervinho kept it in play and eventually had a shot which was blocked by Hibbert. Arteta took the resulting corner and was treated to a round of applause by the away fans – the Basque midfielder was a favourite of the blue side of Liverpool until his deadline day departure. His corner was then cleared back out to the Arsenal left but it was Seamus Coleman who took control of the loose ball. As the Irishman looked to break he was tripped up by Arteta, resulting in the Spaniard being booked by Howard Webb. This was perhaps a little harsh as the foul was committed midway inside the Everton half, but nonetheless it was cynical and the decision was probably correct. A minute later Baines blocked off Walcott, again midway inside the Everton half, but this time no card was shown despite the fact that it was just as cynical and Walcott would have been bearing down on goal.

Arsenal got in behind Everton again, this time Gervinho being played through by an excellent ball from Arteta. Despite his goal last week, the winger’s confidence is low and this was shown perfectly when he chose to play an early ball to van Persie instead of driving into the box before either shooting of setting up the Dutchman. As it was, RVP was offside and another chance was wasted. Arsenal broke down the left and Walcott, who was involved in most of Arsenal’s chances, was tripped up by Coleman and Webb had little choice but to book the Irishman. Van Persie was played in and although he was offside, the striker tangled up with Walcott and ended up kicking his team mate as he attempted to shoot. Fortunately Walcott recovered after treatment and soon returned to the pitch.

The Gunners cranked up the pressure on the Toffees and Ramsey got into the box, only to curl just over after outmanoeuvring Tim Howard. Gervinho also got in again but shot straight at Howard. Everton’s defence was collapsing as balls over the top allowed the wingers in on goal time and again and a goal seemed imminent. However a mixture of an Everton recovery and sloppy passing from Arsenal meant that the chances dried up and the Clock End’s managerial would-be’s began the usual tutting and discussion of changes as the teams headed into the changing rooms. Van Persie had had a disagreement with his fellow countryman Heitinga, which resulted in the two going literally head to head behind Webb’s back as play continued but Walcott dragging him away prevented it from escalating. At half time, although it could easily have been 3-0, the good feeling from the start of the game had well and truly gone and even REDaction seemed a bit subdued, perhaps due to the extremely cold temperature inside Emirates Stadium.

credit to uk.ibtimes.com

As the second half started, Walcott appeared to injure himself tripping over the ball, but once again returned to action after some treatment. He was then ruled offside again, although this time incorrectly, followed by Everton also being offside twice. Walcott then beat Baines but was denied by a good save from Howard and Everton made the first substitution of the game, bringing off the ineffectual Saha for Sylvain Distan. The Frenchman went into the centre of defence, meaning Heitinga moved into the midfield and Cahill took over the role as the lone striker. The change had an affect immediately as Cahill began to win some headers and hold up the ball, meaning Everton could keep the ball better and launch some attacks. Phil Neville came closest, but his curler from the edge of the box went over and Szczesny always had it covered anyway.

Ironically, it was during Everton’s best spell of the game that Arsenal took the lead and in some style too; Song played an exquisite chip over the Everton defence and van Persie, who had been poor by his incredibly high standards, launched a fantastic volley past the helpless Howard: 1-0. McAleny and Gueye came on for Everton, replacing Neville and Bilyaletdinov. McAleny was making his debut and the young Englishman joined Cahill in attack as Everton were forced out of their shell. Arsenal looked for a second as RVP headed just wide from a corner, nearly equalling Henry’s Premiership goalscoring record as the Frenchman watched on from the stands.

Vermaelen was caught by a flailing Fellaini arm as he competed for a header and Webb correctly stopped play as it was clear head injury. Moyes took exception to this and was nearly on the pitch as he screamed at the referee, meaning he received the same treatment from the fans behind the away bench. Vermaelen looked to brave it out and returned to the pitch, but was forced to be replaced by Miquel after he reportedly complained of blurred vision. Rosicky also came on for Gervinho, signally Arsenal’s intention to keep the ball. Everton pressed and but Gueye fired his shot wide and Frimpong then replaced Walcott, adding another man to the Gunner’s midfield. Arsenal Everton held out until in the third minute of stoppage time Mertesacker cleared poorly and McAleny nearly took advantage, but fired his shot inches wide of the far post with Szczesny at full stretch.

The final whistle went, giving Arsenal a deserved win against an Everton side that was torn apart by the pace on the flanks. Having said this, the wasted chances in the first half could have been costly and on another day they would have been made to pay for the misses. Van Persie had one of his worst games of the year, but made up by scoring one of his best goals, meaning he has scored as many in the league this season as the entire Everton team. The atmosphere improved for the last twenty minutes of the second half and it must be mentioned that REDaction also were extremely loud for the second forty five. Another win and another clean sheet gives us the best possible preparation for the visit to the Etihad Arena next weekend and a huge test against Manchester City. Finally, it is also fitting that on our 125th anniversary the game ended with that famous score: 1-0 to the Arsenal.