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Ah Everton. You might remember that we did a review of the home support of most of our rivals in the Premier League before this season began. It is still on the website if you want to see it all, but here is the commentary on Everton.
“Everton is one of those clubs where one can look at it, and understand the broad, general principle of the notion of rising up and throwing Liverpool FC off its perch, but one can’t help getting somewhat baffled at the way in which the owner is trying to put the plan into practical effect. Rather similar to Hamlet in fact. As for the fans, many an experienced undertaker has been deceived by their appearance and started embalming on sight.”
Well, we got the last bit wrong, judging by the mid week show, but otherwise, it seems about right thus far.
But do you remember all the years in which Arsenal had a few key players injured? And how it was entirely Arsenal’s fault. Or actually Mr Wenger’s fault. There were even commentators who made a living out of the story. People like Raymond Verheijen the ex Wales coach and Stewart Robson.
It was a total piece of fake news that the media ran day after day week after week – Arsenal had a slightly above average number of injuries, but that was all. Compare the rampaging omnipresent media story of that era (before we came along and debunked it) with this…
In Koeman’s defence there is no question he has been unlucky with injuries. Key performers such as Séamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie have suffered potentially career-threatening setbacks and he has also had to do without experienced squad members in James McCarthy and Ramiro Funes Mori. Even Ross Barkley, whatever the state of the relationship between player and manager, has been unavailable all season.
That was in the Guardian yesterday.
But at least the remorseless attack on Mr Wenger and the team as a whole which passes for journalism these days has turned on Everton, although in a somewhat more relaxed and reserved more. Of course Arsenal players are all weak and “don’t like it up em” as Corporal Jones used to say, but with Everton, “Very few players available to Koeman for regular selection could be said to be enjoying their peak years. Sigurdsson may be an exception, along with Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin, but almost everyone else is either a prospect for the future or someone whose best seasons are behind him.”
The Everton manager said this week, “Confidence comes from winning games, and we have not been doing that.” Mr W. would never say that as it would denounced as “Wenger’s amazing admission” while pointing out that the manager buys the players and does the training.
The defeat to Lyon was certainly a low point for Everton, which of course means they can always “bounce back” but how about this for a sentence in an English newspaper.
“…a side that can pass the ball is always going to have a chance against one that cannot. Arsenal can certainly pass, will probably take heart from Lyon’s example and still have the services of Olivier Giroud. As long as they can avoid a brawl…” Well yes, there is always at.
One fact not really being talked about at the moment is that Everton have one of the players on 3 yellow cards so far: a Mr Rooney. No player has more than four yellows so far. I wonder if he is going for the record. In total, and this shows how far Everton has sunk in a league where there is a certain degree of bias in terms of refereeing, Everton have had 15 yellow cards to Arsenal’s 8. Arsenal in fact since 19th in the yellow card league. Which is an interesting thought given that Arsenal have Xhaka, who according to the pundits is always getting yellow cards.
Actually Xhaka remains Arsenal’s best passer of the ball with 663 so far this season. Strange that in the ceaseless and remourceless attack on the player this weekend on TV, the fact that he is the sixth best passer in the Premier League so far, and after today’s game is likely to rise up that table (he only needs seven passes in the entire match to reach fourth and is more likely to get to second or third position by the end of the day).
The reverse picture emerges with goals. Lacazette has four goals. Everton has no player in the top 20 scorers thus far. A couple of goals from Lacazette today will take him up to third..
Indeed no matter how we measure up the two sides there is a considerable difference. If we take touches in league matches so far this season Arsenal have had 6366, Everton have had 5139. Only four teams have had fewer touches and touches is a pretty good indicator of where a club is going.
Everton also has 15 yellow cards to Arsenal’s 8, a figure that leaves Arsenal in 19th position in the card table – which is curious when we have Xhaka who is apparently a walking disaster in this regard.
But we must not forget that this is an away match for Arsenal and thus far that has spelled doom and gloom all round. At home Everton are very much run of the mill having won two and lost two, scoring three conceding five. You’ll know what Arsenal’s away form has been like. All we can do is believe it must change soon.But looking at the overall state of play gives hope. Here are Everton’s last 12 games in all competitions. The wins are in bold to help you find them.
Date Game Res Score Competition 21 Aug Manchester City v Everton D 1-1 Premier League 24 Aug Hajduk Split v Everton D 1-1 Europa League 27 Aug Chelsea v Everton L 2-0 Premier League 09 Sep Everton v Tottenham Hots L 0-3 Premier League 14 Sep Atalanta v Everton L 3-0 Europa League 17 Sep Manchester U v Everton L 4-0 Premier League 20 Sep Everton v Sunderland W 3-0 League Cup 23 Sep Everton v Bournemouth W 2-1 Premier Lge 28 Sep Everton v Apollon Limassol D 2-2 Europa League 01 Oct Everton v Burnley L 0-1 Premier League 15 Oct Brighton v Everton D 1-1 Premier League 19 Oct Everton v Olympique Lyon L 1-2 Europa League Arsenal by comparison are in this position across the same number of games.
Date Game Res Score Competition 11 Aug Arsenal v Leicester City W 4-3 Premier 19 Aug Stoke City v Arsenal L 1-0 Premier 27 Aug Liverpool v Arsenal L 4-0 Premier 09 Sep Arsenal v Bournemouth W 3-0 Premier 14 Sep Arsenal v 1.FC Köln W 3-1 Europa 17 Sep Chelsea v Arsenal D 0-0 Premier 20 Sep Arsenal v Doncaster W 1-0 Lge Cup 25 Sep Arsenal v West Brom W 2-0 Premier 28 Sep FC BATE v Arsenal W 2-4 Europa 01 Oct Arsenal v Brighton W 2-0 Premier 14 Oct Watford v Arsenal L 2-1 Premier 19 Oct Crvena Zvezda v Arsenal W 0-1 Europa So we have lost 3 in the last 12 won 8 drawn 1. Not perfect by any chalk, but still, improving of late. Everton have won 2 lost 6 and drawn 4.
And the team…
Lacazette
Alexis Iwobi
Kolasinac Bellerin
Xhaka Ramsey
Monreal Mertesacker Koscielny
Cech
Playing in the muddy waters of the Mersey:
Macey, Elneny, Wilshere, Walcott, Nelson, Giroud, Holding
Have fun!
Untold Arsenal: Supporting the club, the manager and the team
"I believe the target of anything in life should be to do it so well that it becomes an art." A Wenger
Where is ozil in the expected team sheet?
People on this site don’t like the Guardian do thee.
Arsenal MUST be very careful not to take beating Everton this afternoon for granted. For, Ronald Koeman, the Everton manager and his Toffees side are presently in trouble with their Premeir League campaign this season and desperately needing a win to avert the Ronald Koeman from coming under scrutiny of the Everton board should Everton fail to win this match or get at least a point in the match.
Therefore, the Gunners MUST adhere to composure and positional sense of play discipline in front of goal during this match so as not to be missing the goal scoring chances that fell to them which they ought to be converting and also devoid be caught in offside position during the game. All the starting Gunners and the substitutes who come on in this match SHOULD focus 100% on their game during the match and not allow any momentary loss of concentration to take hold on them during their playing in the match. For, such an error could be taken advantage off and punish by the Toffees. Wayne Rooney SHOULD not be allowed any freedom to do any masquerading on the field of play but be blocked at all times during the match.
Once again, my Arsenal 3-4-2-1 starts and my reviewed 7 benchers for this match.
Starts:
Cech
Koscielny Mertesacker Montreal
Bellerin Ramsey Xhaka Kolasinac
Iwobi Lacazette Sanchez
Bench:
Macey ElNeny Holding Coquelin Ozil Wilshere Giroud.
I expect this match to be a very difficult match, Everton will go all out to win this game to ease pressure on Koeman, expect a lot of physicality. Arsenal can’t afford to lose, otherwise it will affect the team confidence, and could derail top four.
My predicted starting line up will be:
Cech,
Kos, BFG, Monreal
Bellerin, Ramsay, Xhaka, The Tank
Ozil, Lacazette, Alexis.
Bulldog
Nearly right but Özil starts instead of Iwobi
Beach
Mackey, Holding, Wilshere, Iwobi, Coquelin, Giroud, Walcott
Yes indeed, this is the first time (I think) that we have had the forward line of Ozil, Lacazette and Alexis. I am rather hopeful.
Arsenal Nose: the issue with the Guardian is that it is a quality newspaper that is outside of the right wing anti-Europe approach that most newspapers offer, and it comes up with some good investigative journalism.
But in terms of football, they indulge in the same style of writing as everyone else, refusing to investigate big issues, and following the mainstream. That’s what makes their approach so frustrating.
Some thoughts…
The team knows that Everton is going to come out and play a physical brand of football. And, we know that if they get away with it in the first 15 minutes, (without a yellow) it could get pretty ugly. Two early goals for the away side would be nice…
I find the criticism of Xhaka a bit hard to take. I remember the same criticism of Vieira and can’t help but draw parallels. Sure teams would try to wind him (PV)up and he got a few red cards that cost us some points, but midfielders became a little bit wary around him…that was not a bad thing. Given Deeney’s comments last weekend, it is clear that teams still think that they can kick us off the park.
Here’s a thought…is it possible that Spurs bloodbath at Chelsea in May of 2016 was not a random episode of chicken’s losing their heads so to speak but rather a planned assault designed to send a message to the other clubs that they won’t be messed with anymore? Stopping just shy of that unfortunate display, I wonder if the Arsenal, fed up with the league troglodytes, have ever considered something?
I’ve got a very strong suspicion that Everton are going to be extremely rough this match and the referee will allow it all. I expect that they will constantly be allowed to get away with hard challenges, but whenever they fall down near an Arsenal player, it will be an immediate foul for them. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a soft yellow card for us in the first half. Everton will really go for it this game, yet go back to being poor for their next match.
Sounds like they are up for a fight (only in England would the be considered a good thing) and I’m sure that the referee will be more than happy to oblige them.
If not for Le Prof Preferring to start Ozil ahead of Iwobi whom he benched, I would have gotten his starts 100%. And for his not having my ElNeny at all in his 18 man list for this match who I have on bench for the match, and also for his having Iwobi on his bench, I would have gotten his bench 100% which I got 5/7 correct. Any Kudos for me?
Polo, you deserved Kudos for getting Le Prof starts 100%. Therefore, I give you the Kudos.
Rambbboooooo…….
so keeper tackled down alexis, didnt touch the ball and it’s not a penalty…..
nice
Come ooooooonnnnn ARSENAL
Al_the_gunner
That’s what brought me here too, to highlight that. Keeper had no contact with ball whatsoever and took Alexis down in the box, and that’s is not deemed a penalty ??
and granit again… with “magic” touch
What a huge fucking surprise.
WTF is going ooooon!!!!
I reiterate ‘From an Arsenal perspective, there is only one team in the EPL that is beyond defeat. That is the team that runs football. They can’t be defeated in the courts as they are above the Law & they have the run of the game through the corrupt set up of officiating called PGMOL.’
What a corrupt mess this FA & PGMOL.
Had Ramsey was composed in front of goal, would he have buried that chance of a sitter he missed? And I can see on my TV now as Wayne Rooney stunningly hitting the back of Arsenal net to give Everton an earky goal lead in the game. I warned the Gunners in my comment posting of today to block Wayne Rooney in his masquerading against them on the field of play. But it appears the Gunners have not read my comment posting advising them or they’ve read it and ignored my advice..
Ooooooo Bellerin!!!!
maybe our third team from europa league will do better in PL?
“You’d of enjoyed this, the opportunity to go around kicking people”
“And blame it on the wind, yeah”
*both laugh to each other*
Brilliant bit of commentary.
@samuel,
You dint see Xhaka being fouled which lead to their goal then!!!!
all Rooney need is a little help from Granit
I’ve been leaving a log of the the officals calls on the referee preview but it’s so blatant!
Ignoring the earlier not called penalty that call against Bellerin on 23:40 just after the Everton player had also lunged in is a perfect reference example.
The official is rigging this football match. It was possible to make that call before their goal. And I did! After hoping for better as I mention in the referee preview, alas the preview called it right, yet again.
Shameless rigging.
How does Williams avoid the yellow?
You all know the answer!
In yer faces. Lol. What a joke.
finsbury
maybe cos there was no contact at all
Simulation from Lacazette
It’s the stockholder syndrome exhibited by the uber blaggers that is most risible.
How can anyone watching such bias from the pgMOB cheat not comment upon it!
Whether it’s the laughable calls against or the non given fouls for.
These blaggers need to show some “cojones”. And support their club.
In light of such predictable and detailed and obvious fixing from the cheating offfical.
That was a foul and the player knows it.
Getting out of the way of a super late foul and not getting abut inury is not simulation. Neither does that meanit isn’t a foul.
Nice try though. You’ll have to try again. Better luck next time.
Arsenal will have to pull magic out of the hat today.
Come ooooooonnnnn ARSENAL
Come on ARSENAL
Come on ARSENAL
Come on ARSENAL
Come on ARSENAL
Yyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhh
Super nachos
Ccccooommmmeee ooooooonnnnn uuuuuuuuuu ggggguuuunnnnneeeeerrrrrrssss
NACHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everton still only in the game thanks to the pgMOB handicap.
Come on The Arsenal.
there is some magic
Suck on some nachos you toffee scum!
i hope we punish everton, we need it.
Elbows pushes I the back against AFC players not considered as fouls under Mike Riley. We all remember the push into a pit on Sanchez not even being called a foul.
You’ve got to laugh.
< Not considered fouls/yellows
how can the ref not see that push?
This game would’ve been over if we didn’t miss so many easy chances.
Pawson – a proper sloping shouldered official without the balls to be correct. Kal – Lewin should have been booked for deliberately trying to injure Monreal.
Nacho just shoed into the stands…reminds you of something ? Debuchy, Alexis, and others
Well the french commentators looking at the replay had just one comment : well it was just a little nudge…..
Kind of like telling a judge in a murfer trial, well it was just a little knife stab…
Bunch of morons, that is all they are
shoved not shoed…
When teams playing Rileyball need such a handicap from the official to just stay in the game it is not a mystery why the national team cannot even draw with Iceland.
When you hammer and hammer and hammer relentlessly on the wall, it may crack. The relentless hammering on the Toffees by the Gunners has led to their defending getting cracked and Monreal entered through the crack to equalised for Arsenal. Thank God!
stopping the game in the middle of the attack !!!
superb refereeing!!!
So Arsenal not awarded a blatant penalty (they really don’t get much more blatant that that) and the Everton goal came directly after a foul on a Arsenal player. It’s all so painfully predictable. And having to listen to this dickhead commentator that insinuated both Ozil and Xhaka are diving, as well as reminding us 3 separate times, with his sarcastic comments, that football is a contact sport. Absolutely sick of it. It’s so hard to find enjoyment in this game anymore, but then Arsenal score and it makes you realise that there is still some joy to be had.
We have been hard done to with some of the persistant fouling but alexis was out of order trying to get someone booked.
Statistics
Shots on target 1:10
_off target 2:3
Corners 0:6
Offsides 1:1
Fouls 8:5
Yellow 2:0
Goal Kicks 5:2
%Arsenal Possession
_5 74
10 62
15 64
20 69
25 71
30 69
35 70
40 69
45 71
45+3 72
You don’t see easier penalty calls then that one early on in the half.
Still not given!
And you still get some comedians coming on here attempting and spectacularly failing to defend this shower. Jokers.
Great first half which we dominated IMO. Our number eleven looks a bit special today.Everton goal was fair I thought and Williams was clever in avoiding a second yellow. Good goal by Nacho which he was rewarded for by being shoved into the Everton supporters. No card? Bellerín needs to work on his crossing a bit, we could have had a couple of other good chances.Play like that in the second half and we’ll be OK
I’m watching on a Russian stream so can’t understand the commentary which is to my advantage as I’m able to listen to some Dinah Washington
And that push on Nacho came after the ball had gone out of play. And that push was outside the play area…..
Well… remember Debuchy
………. Remember Alexis
Odds on red card for the Arsenal?
The Gunners have played well and dominated the Toffees in the game in the first half of this match but for their missing one clear goal chance created for Ramsey Arsenal would have been ahead in this match.
What should the Gunners do in the 2nd half to win this match? 1. Block Wayne Rooney from taking a shot at give assust in his masquerading against Arsenal. 2 Arsenal should continue with their effective passing game to keep dominating Everton and controlling the game. 3. The Gunners should adhere to composure and positional sense play discipline to bury the chances that will fall to them.
al_the_gunner
22/10/2017 at 2:19 pm
stopping the game in the middle of the attack !!!
superb refereeing!!!
Thats PGMOL advantage – special for Arsenal. Selectively blind but consistently corrupt.
Notice the commentators twats didn’t mention the penalty that wasn’t given. It didn’t happen honest m’lud!!
A13
Clogger Rose on Sagna
Jump with a knee in the back – not a foul!!
Somebody tell me why Bellerin slightly touch the Watford player and it was given a foul/penalty, and Gana bumped Xhaka leg and its no foul. Incompetence at the highest level. All I want the referee is to be consistent, it’s not much to ask is it?
Menace
Not even mentioning a blatant penalty call? Blimey!
Still. That’s not an excuse for the Stockholm syndrome exhibited by the uber blaggers out there.
Support your club and team. Please.
Oooorrrrrzzzzzzzzeeeeeellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
What a goal by that number eleven I mentioned earlier
Polo – they are consistent cheats.
But OZil shows them that football is possible despite the cheats. The commentators are sucking humble pie.
Beautiful goal, Ozil
Another miss chance.
Finsbury…
Yeah…
Rose on Sagna
Gana gets a free kick. For a same foul which Xhaka did not. And Which lead to everton goal
Well maybe Giroud for Lacazette to finish them off ?
Foul against Xhaka on 55:30 identical to the one not given against him for their goal.
In yer faces people.
If you consider yourself a supporter of this club please support the Arsenal.
A13
Great minds…haha…perhaps not that great just simply and humbly we are pointing out the obvious and undeniable:
Shame about the uber blaggers and their Stockholm Syndrome.
Nacho’s revenge?
He is on the line & wasting time!!
Polo – It’s got nothing to do with incompetence, they know full-well what they are doing. Demonstrated by the fact that they ref international matches, friendlies and European games perfectly competently.
To me it looks like the Everton defense is starting to come apart…they look exhausted
Arsenal need to keep pushing and break them
I’d venture to guess that the fact that most AFC players had a full week’s rest is not neutral….
Great minds indeed Finsbury ?
The commentator literally just admitted to being a Everton fan. Using the words “we” and “our” when talking about them. It’s good that they can get such a partial source for the job. He is one of the most blatantly biased commentators I’ve heard in a long time. Absolute dickhead.
Come on Arsenal. Keep the intensity up, don’t let Everton grow in confidence.
Red…..
Ghana had to go
2-1 .Lets not let them in again!!
That dismissal is going to take some juggling for Everton to sort out, if they are as tired as some of you have indicated. Time to get some more goals Gunners!
COYG!
You know that when you get sent off against Arsenal, you REALLY deserved it.
Punish
Come on Arsenal. That’s how football should be played.
Özil has to be MOTM on this display. Another great goal and by Lacazette this time
After making such a strong effort on behalf of the Home team the official decided that after such a boost in the first half that Everton are lost cause?
But I thought their manager and owner are the type that the aaaa told us we need at the Arsenal?
Great Jack coming on. Guess Alexis is going center now.
Hope we see some interaction with Ozil
Why take off Lacazette? The boy can do with another goal.
Maybe Wenger wants lots of players in double figures?
COYG!
Lacazette in his first season.first season of his career without a winter brake. No need to parrot the groaning Stockholm syndrom of the uber arse-blaggers who dream of being non-professional hack dwarves: it’s not rocket science!
The season is long. With many a winding turn.
The even-ness of the fouls is suspicious. PGMO really wants a casual examination of Arsenal to show they are just as dirty as every other team?
COYG!
Time to start evening out the yellows too. Guardian describes something innocuous, LiveScore describes something criminal.
COYG!
Go Ramsay!!!!
How to go Aaron! Come on Gunners, there is still time for more goals.
COYG!
Wise words from Chris at 2:49
A tired foul from the Everton player for his second yellow.
A very tired ten men ATM.
A wonderful example of how well AFC have done over the seasons playing in both PL and CL with limited resources when compared to the petro-clubs. Simples.
Need Alexis to score now. Complete set.
Good to see aKoeman moaning to “Bobby”
The reporters on french TV have been behing Everton since the first minute.
And now that Ramsey has scored nr 4, they are all excited telling the spectators that this means that Koeman will be fired.
They are excited about it….
Hyenas, that is all they are
I thought all of these “expert” pundits were saying how brilliantly Everton did in the transfer window and how they would be fighting for the top 4? Perhaps these “experts” should stick to talking solely in hindsight, lest they expose themselves for the thick morons that they really are.
Horsefeathers!
Come on Gunners, get that goal back.
COYG!
nacho almost my MOTM and now that stupid mistake
Great, great win with a farce at at the end. We could have scored six or seven in truth
ALEXIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When will Steve Bould grow a pair and do something about our jelly spined defense? Stupid, Stupid, stupid mistakes. Should have been 5-0!
Statistics
Shots on target 1:10 _3:13
_off target _ _ 2:3 _ 4:8
Corners _ _ _ _ 0:6 _ 0:7
Offsides _ _ _ _1:1 _ 2:1
Fouls _ _ _ _ _ 8:5 _ 14:14
Yellow _ _ _ _ _2:0 _ 2:1
2nd Yellow _ _ _0:0 _ 1:0
Goal Kicks _ _ _5:2 _ 11:6
Treatments _ _ _0:0 _ 3:0
%Arsenal Possession
_5 74
10 62
15 64
20 69
25 71
30 69
35 70
40 69
45 71
45+3 72
50 70
55 71
60 72
65 68
70 69
75 68
80 69
85 68
90 66
90+5 67
….and another to to make it five.
I suppose the media will focus on “ten men” Everton, but they were well beaten before that sending off
We’re 5th, on the same number of points as Chelsea, just two goals behind them.
Not where I would like us to be, but not as bad as some were suggesting.
Jammy
Perhaps many of these plundits are more interested in the bank balances of football agents then the football on the pitch?
Souness & Redknapp? No need for further comment!
I don’t see how it is a Monreal mistake. Yes it wasn’t the best of pass but Cech still should have easily cleared it, had he actually focused on the ball.
If you watch the replay, you can see that even after Monreal made the pass, Cech is looking on the right and not the ball. When he finally reacted it was too late
Jax,
the french commentators just said : well, Arsenal were able to tie the game before half.time ‘AGAINST’ the flow of the game…. WHAT ?!?!
And the big talking point is the stupid second goal…..
We looked very good.
A mixture of good keeping and, I hesitate to say poor finishing. Less than clinical finishing will do. And it could of been 10.
Yes, annoying to give that stupid goal away. But lets not make more out of that than it was. The truth is it was sooooo easy, I’m surprised cech was actually awake, in fact I don’t think he was.
Anyway, I loved it. Well played boys.
COYG
We are level on points against title contenders……yet we are not one!!!!!!!……
Welcomes to the oxymoronic world of Premier League punditry
Tony,
yeah, it is gtreat, we are on target got the EL next season ;=))
I see the Ox is not on the Liverpool starting eleven….
Hope it was really worth it for him to switch teams….
Well, the Ox’s agent AB is not complaining about that transfer.
After his big payday with Sterling the Ox was always a goner, we predicted his departure on Positively Arsenal a year ago.
People ignoring the influence of agents on the game (all hacks and uber blaggers) are not being honest, I can’t imagine why! Well…
< Correction: AW for Aidy Ward not AB
Match report is on line
The “toffee” really “went soft” today Tony. Terrific result which I hope will get the credit it deserves.
Ozil got MOTM as I anticipated, and that front three is as devastating as we all anticipated it might be.
Liverpool crumbling without Mane.
Good goal from Salah. Good game so far.
Polo
Certainly were, but back in it now.
Come on Liverpool. A draw would be perfect.
Spurs solid at the back.
Liverpool great going forward.
Spurs great on the break.
Liverpool poor in defence.
2-1 already. Could be anything.
As you say Polo. Good game.
Please do note that Walter’s match report for this game is now on line at
http://untold-arsenal.com/archives/65098