Flying Dutchman Robin van Persie helped Arsenal FC celebrate their 125th year anniversary by scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Everton yesterday.
The decisive goal was Van Persie’s 19th strike in all competitions this season, and his 33rd league goal of the calendar year.
The win lifted Arsenal into the top four as they continue their resurgence in form, while Everton are now five points above the relegation zone.
Arsene Wenger had warned his side to stay focused on the task at hand, and not be distracted by the pre-match festivities marking the club’s 125th birthday.
Three statues were unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium in the pre-game buildup that honored club legends Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry.
Wenger’s fears of distraction almost came to fruition with Louis Saha going close to giving Everton an early lead when he just failed to convert a goal-mouth scramble.
The Gunners settled into the game, and had scoring chances of their own when Aaron Ramsey had a shot blocked by Tony Hibbert, and then Gervinho was denied by a Tim Howard save.
Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen both had chances snuffed out by stout Everton defense as the teams went into the half-time interval scoreless.
Arsenal started as the better team in the second half, and were denied when the impressive Howard was again on hand to palm away a Walcott drive.
Everton had an attacking spell of their own during the second half, with Vermaelen clearing before Tim Cahill could convert a dangerous cross, and Phil Neville firing over as the game remained scoreless.
With 20 minutes remaining, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock and the man who scored was no surprise. Van Persie has been on fire lately, and he scored the crucial in this game with a wonderful volleyed finish from Alex Song’s raking pass.
Arsenal closed out the win with no major scares, and as things are currently going, you have to wonder how long it will be before a statue of Van Persie will be erected in north London.
LINEUPS
ARS – Szczesny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen (Miquel 82), Koscielny, Djourou, Arteta, Walcott (Frimpong 89), Ramsey, Song, Van Persie, Gervinho (Rosicky 83).
EVE – Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Neville (McAleny 76), Coleman, Bilyaletdinov (Gueye 76), Cahill, Fellaini, Saha (Distin 64).
SCORING SUMMARY
ARS – Robin van Persie (Alex Song) 70
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Attendance: 60,062
The win lifted Arsenal into the top four as they continue their resurgence in form, while Everton are now five points above the relegation zone.
Arsene Wenger had warned his side to stay focused on the task at hand, and not be distracted by the pre-match festivities marking the club’s 125th birthday.
Three statues were unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium in the pre-game buildup that honored club legends Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry.
Wenger’s fears of distraction almost came to fruition with Louis Saha going close to giving Everton an early lead when he just failed to convert a goal-mouth scramble.
The Gunners settled into the game, and had scoring chances of their own when Aaron Ramsey had a shot blocked by Tony Hibbert, and then Gervinho was denied by a Tim Howard save.
Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen both had chances snuffed out by stout Everton defense as the teams went into the half-time interval scoreless.
Arsenal started as the better team in the second half, and were denied when the impressive Howard was again on hand to palm away a Walcott drive.
Everton had an attacking spell of their own during the second half, with Vermaelen clearing before Tim Cahill could convert a dangerous cross, and Phil Neville firing over as the game remained scoreless.
With 20 minutes remaining, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock and the man who scored was no surprise. Van Persie has been on fire lately, and he scored the crucial in this game with a wonderful volleyed finish from Alex Song’s raking pass.
Arsenal closed out the win with no major scares, and as things are currently going, you have to wonder how long it will be before a statue of Van Persie will be erected in north London.
LINEUPS
ARS – Szczesny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen (Miquel 82), Koscielny, Djourou, Arteta, Walcott (Frimpong 89), Ramsey, Song, Van Persie, Gervinho (Rosicky 83).
EVE – Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Neville (McAleny 76), Coleman, Bilyaletdinov (Gueye 76), Cahill, Fellaini, Saha (Distin 64).
SCORING SUMMARY
ARS – Robin van Persie (Alex Song) 70
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Attendance: 60,062
