[Player Ratings] Everton 0-1 Arsenal: Outstanding Verminator Strikes Again

What a night for the Gunners! It really couldn’t have gone any better last night, could it? Well, if i’m being greedy we could have done without Van der Vaart’s late equaliser, but i’d have taken Spurs drawing 1-1 before kick off, thats for sure. Their slip-up and our 1-0 away win to Everton means we’re now sitting in third. Chelsea losing to City means we’re now six points clear of them, and Liverpool’s hilarious league form is just the icing on a very tasty cake.

We were outrageously good for the opening 30 minutes last night. Some of the best football we’ve played all season. Vermaelen rightly headed us ahead on eight minutes, and we had several good chances to extend the lead. Ramsey and Van Persie both could have done better with their efforts on goal.

But Everton came back into the game and were unlucky to see a goal wrongly disallowed for offside. But Rosicky also had a decent penalty shout turned down, but David Moyes didn’t mention that in his post match interview, did he? And MOTD didn’t even show it amongst the highlights!

Everton had most of the ball in the second half, but Arsenal had the better chances. Van Persie hit the post and could have done better with a couple of other half chances. Despite a late rally from the hosts, the defence stood firm and produced one of the best defensive displays from an Arsenal side in years.

How about these for impressive stats. The back five of; Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny and Gibbs: Played 8, won 7, lost 0, and have conceded just 4 goals this season. If this lot stay fit, there won’t be many better defences in the league.

Not only was this a vital three points but it was also important to grind out a win and keep a clean sheet at a very difficult place to visit. The back four were immense all night and it also shows we can win even when RVP doesn’t get on the scoresheet!

So it was a great night for the Gunners. Six wins from six is a run i really didn’t see coming, especially given the quality of the sides we’ve beaten along the way. Lets not let third place slip now and we can celebrate St Totteringham’s Day before the end of the season!

Player Ratings

Szczesny – 6 – A virtual bystander for most of the game, despite Everton being the better side in the second half. A testament to the protection he was given by the super back four.

Sagna – 7.5 – It’s no coincidence that Arsenal’s turn in fortunes has coincided with Sagna’s return. The Frenchman was given a tough time by Baines and Pienaar down the right, but stood up to the test.

Vermaelen – 9 – Absolutely immense. Lovely header won it, but his defending was superb all night. Back to top form now in the heart of the defence. Scored the winner in two consecutive games now. 5 league goals in 19 games for the Belgian. The same total as Torres and Carroll combined, and it took those two 29 games. Unbelievable.

Koscielny – 9 – A warrior throughout. Put his body on the line and even went on a couple of marauding runs forward. Forming a formidable partnership alongside Vermaelen. These two could become the best centre back pair in the league.

Gibbs – 8 – Getting better and better with each game. Looked positionally sound and got forward on occasion. Looks settled into the impressive back four now.

Song – 7.5 – Passing was a little off at times, but protected his backline well and dug deep late on when the home side were pushing for an equaliser.

Arteta – 7 – Was excellent in the opening 30 minutes as Arsenal were running the game, but faded in the second half when Everton took over.

Rosicky – 7.5 – Nobody could have covered more ground than Rosicky last night. He was everywhere. Not his most effective game in the final third, but was a real team player doing his bit defensively as well.

Walcott – 5 – Wast tightly marker by Baines and didn’t get a lot of joy out of the England left back. Never got any space to work his magic. Had two chances to create something but just couldn’t get the ball out of his feet. Subbed.

Ramsey – 6.5 – Full of running as usual and really worked hard for the team. But his finishing is really not up to scratch. He wasted at least two golden opportunities to get on the scoresheet. Shooting practice is needed in training please Arsene!

Van Persie – 7 – Didn’t have his shooting boots on for the first time this season. On another day he would have bagged a hat trick, but he did hit the post and supply a superb corner for the goal.

SUBS:

Gervinho – 7 – Added some pace and fresh legs down the left and his powerful running stretched Everton a couple of times late on. Looked lively.

Djourou – N/A – on too late.

So those are my ratings. What would your be? Get involved in the comments section.

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