talkingOfArsenal.com

Firstly, heartfelt condolences to the family and team-mates of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell, who died after collapsing towards the end of his side's Scottish Premier League game against Dundee United. These are the times when we're reminded that there are many other things outside of football that are more important.

And so to the second half of the Everton v Arsenal game.

Just before Eduardo's goal, I was about to make a note to myself asking if Aluminia looks capable in the Arsenal goal due to his personal ability, or whether the current Arsenal back-four hide Almunia's deficiencies because they are a good unit. I didn't have much time to reflect on that before Eduardo clawed back the equaliser with a brilliant goal.

Instead, I found myself writing "Where did Eduardo come from?". And where did that "pass from Clichy come from?".

The Setanta commentator said what we all knew, with Eduardo having had a quiet evening in the first half, by confirming that his goal had come from virtually his first touch of the game. Have Arsenal found our own "fox-in-da-box" in the diminutive Croatian-Brazilian? It's too early to say, however going on this games performance there seems much promise.

It looks like Wenger might well have worked out an antidote to teams that make it hard for us to go through the middle of the park - play Eduardo up front, and get long balls over to him. Twelve minutes after his first, the Croatian added to his tally with some brilliant individual play, after receiving another long ball, to get the ball around the Everton defender, and then get his balance right to slot past Howard.

2-1, at Goodison Park? Unbelievable. Arsenal, playing long ball? Weird!

There were a nervous few moments when a powerful Yakubu header went wide of Almunia's goal.Perhaps it is a testament to the teams defending, that Everton were limited to that one clear chance on goal for the duration of the second half.  

Unfortunately, the lead was put on the line after Bendtner was sent off for a very rash and dangerous looking challenge. When players tire, they are more likely to injure others, and are more likely to be injured. Wenger knows this, and did try to take Bendtner off, but for the breakdown of electronic communication between the fourth official and the referee.  Still, there is no excuse for the foul, and in the end, the Dane was lucky to be shown a second yellow instead of a straight red.

Wenger understandably made a tactical switch after we went down to 10-men, substituting Eduardo for Adebayor, and switching to a 4-4-1 formation with the Togolese striker on his own up-front, something he's done a fair few times already this season.

At 2-1 up, Everton suddenly seemed to find extra legs, and with their intense pressure, I could see the last 15 minutes ending in a 2-2 draw, which to be honest, I would have taken had I been asked before the start of the game.

And then, out of the blue (no pun intended), Yobo and Howard stopped talking to each other. Just at the point when they should've been the best of bosom buddies.

Time and time again this season, I've watched Adebayor chase after what have seemed like lost causes, running towards keepers when they clearly were going to get to the ball first, or hassling defenders when they looked comfortable with their clearances. This time though, the tall striker's gamble paid off, with both the Everton keeper and defender losing concentration at just the right time. With the horrendous mix-up between 'keeper and defender, Adebayor nicked the ball off Howard, and run into an open goal with the ball.

3-1 to the Arsenal. 

With the game seemingly beyond them, Everton kept pressing, and Arsenal started to play keep-ball between the midfield and the back four. And the frustration soon got to the home team, as they soon found their numerical advantage cut after Arteta was adjudged to have elbowed his international teammate and (apparently!) friend in the face - a straight red was shown.

With numerical parity restored, Arsenal carried on playing keep-ball, and for the first time in the game, Everton looked accepting of the loss of all three points. That was the cue for Rosicky to score his first, and Arsenal's fourth of the evening - a most Arsenal-like flow to the passing, and a clinical finish at the end.

Although the final score was somewhat misleading because Everton played quite well, nothing should be taken away from the importance of this win away to a side currently in 6th position, and very comfortable playing at home. This is a game that Arsenal were not expected to win.

Just like the second half display at Aston Villa, I thought this team did very well to not play their usual flowing, composed game, but still to come away with a 4-1 victory (which could come in useful if goal difference plays a part in the title run) and the all-important three points. Indeed, if there is ever proof that this team really has changed, it is in the battling displays such as the one shown at Goodison Park.

Alex Ferguson said he expected Arsenal to drop points in December, and so it turned out to be. And whilst cheque-book Ferguson keeps repeating that Arsenal drop points when they travel north, there is ample evidence that Manchester Utd drop points when they travel south - the game they lost at West Ham being a case in point. What perhaps he should have done, was dedicate a little more time talking to his team, as in the end, they too have dropped points in December.

Yet another example of the Manchester Utd manager talking about other teams when he really ought to focus on his own team like Wenger does. I guess that is but another one of the many differences between the two managers.

In summary, two long ball goals, one goalkeeping and defensive error, and one typical Arsenal goal won this game for us. In principle I'm not a fan of the long ball game, especially when it is employed as a first option.  Used in situations where there are few other alternatives, it is somewhat less unpalatable. Indeed, it shows a new strength in this Arsenal squad, that they can find a back-up route when 'Plan A' isn't working.

Although Arsenal are far from staking any kind of convincing claim on winning the premiership title this season, I would like to say that in the last four weeks, we have seen two results that could be categorised as title-winning performances - the game against Chelsea at home which we won 1-0, and today's win away to Everton.

With Arsenal's victory, and with Manchester Utd dropping points at a game where they were expected to win, you can expect a few more Chelsea twists and Liverpool turns before this premiership campaign comes to an end.

Make no mistake, 4-1 to the Arsenal at Goodison Park is a fantastic result.

Here's to Arsenal being top of the league at the turn of the year!

And here's to a very Happy New Year!