EVERTON 1, ARSENAL 6
Where did you go, Jo?
THE gossip before kick-off was that in-demand Joleon Lescott would not play against Arsenal.
Lescott's name was on the teamsheet, and yet the rumours still proved to be unerringly accurate.
The England man was an apparition in blue. He achieved the seemingly impossible by not only being the centre of attention but also completely anonymous.
Even worse for David Moyes, Lescott's 10 team-mates also decided to extend their pre-season by an extra week, contributing to the worst opening-day result in the club's history.
Moyes had earlier described Mark Hughes' pursuit of his centre-half as 'disgusting'.
How right he is. The notion of paying £22million for him in the aftermath of such a ghastly defensive performance is as sordid as it gets.
On the bright side for those Evertonians yearning for an end to one of the dullest transfer sagas of the summer, Lescott couldn't have done more to put off City.
He might as well have ripped up that transfer request in full view of the Gwladys Street.
There are those who may cynically perceive this as the ultimate playing-for-a-move performance by the centre-half.
Instead, Everton's capitulation against an Arsenal side which didn't have to do much to bury their opponents before half-time, and ritually humiliate them before the end, should ensure Lescott stays.
He owes it to the Goodison faithful to hang around and make amends. Mind you, some of the locals were heard ordering him a taxi to Eastlands long before the final whistle.
The dilemma for Moyes is whether to put his noble principles before economic judgement.
Lescott will return to being an £8m player on September 1. If this is the sub-standard of sulky performance his manager can expect as the player dreams of a life 30 miles down the road, it is counter-productive to keep him.
The Scot has shown enough times he can polish gems from the bargain basement to ensure this particular variation of Lescott isn't missed. His valuation visibly descended with every free header from a Gunners set-piece.
Of course, pinning the blame solely on the wantaway defender is far too convenient, but the instability of the past month evidently took its toll. Moyes couldn't have endured a darker day in his managerial career. He'll know the psychological damage goes beyond the future of one player.
The Goodison chief found himself reassessing aspirations on a weekly basis last season, and must be thinking in a similar way.
Lescott's head was said to be 'all over the place' due to the transfer saga. So was Everton's defence when Denilson, William Gallas and the impressive Thomas Vermaelen helped Arsenal cruise to a 3-0 lead.
It got worse when Everton's midfield decided to grant Cesc Fabregas the freedom of Merseyside in the second half, as he added a fourth shortly after half-time and a fifth on 69 minutes.
The Catalan dedicated the effort to Espanyol skipper Daniel Jarque, who died of a heart attack last week.
Eduardo grabbed the sixth on 88 minutes before Louis Saha's late consolation.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he's often as economical with the truth as he is with his board bank balance in defending his team ahead of this trip.
So it will have been reassuring for the Gunners' fans to find their manager isn't lying to himself in thinking he can win the title with his spendthrift transfer policy.
There are those who think the buzz phrase "I didn't see it" will become the managerial epithet of Wenger if the trophy drought continues at The Emirates.
Not only because he has often turned a blind eye to disciplinary misdemeanours, but also to lingering flaws which have left Arsenal in a state of permanent progression.
It's often said Arsenal are the only team in the country neutrals would spend money to watch. Maybe that's because they know Wenger won't exploit the profits from the rampant ticket sales.
But perhaps it's the rest of us who have failed to identify their title-winning potential.
Easy on the eye and displaying an adolescent flamboyance, you can't help but hope this was a sign Wenger's trust is paying off.
Until Denilson's majestic right- footer on 26 minutes, there might have been familiar concerns for Wenger. The suspicion is there's still a lack of leadership and bite.
Vermaelen's excellent debut may have eased such fears. The Belgian oozed class with his early touches, and is evidently a ball-playing defender.
If he provides a foundation as this every week, the rest of the Premier League knows how once Arsenal get into their stride, they're joyous.
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This article has 34 comments
well well welll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lets be true arsenal fans unlike those players who left the club and start mocking! in arsenal we trust
By leo nafuka.. Posted August 19 2009 at 2:01 PM.
The youg men has forced Mr. Usmanov to chew his words. Who on this planet 'earth' told him that Wenger and his young men will not be at the champion league, or he hasnt realise that champion league is incompleet without arsenal? I strongly beleive that the gunners will do well in this season without Usmanov billions of Pounds. This they proved at Celtic last night. All critics should bury there head with shame. With Wenger we believe. Gunners 4 live.
By Michael Okoh, from Port-harcourt Nigeria.. Posted August 19 2009 at 11:46 AM.
You can only under rate arsenal at your own peril. At Everton ground, it was a class performance, beyond the expectation of every one. No wonder, Madrid would not let the gentle man rest. Wenger has proved that 'all about football is not money. We should now respect his philosophy, but then Bacar should let Cesc concentrate on his game or take him and give us messi. I still appeal that the Professor should add one experience midfielder. Gunners 4 life.
By Michael Okoh from Portharcourt Nigeria... Posted August 18 2009 at 2:06 PM.
HEY LONG LIVE ARSENAL THEY WILL WIN OUT IN THE MONTHS YTO COME BECAUSE THEY ARE A GREAT TEAM FROM THE CHAIRMAN TO THE PLAYER I LIKE THEM THE BEST IN THE WHOLE OF ENGLAND LIKE I SAYD LONG LIVE THE GREAT TEAM OF ARSENAL I WANT TO SEE THEM WIN TEN TO NOTHING THEY CAN DO IT WELL SEE YOU AROUND THEN LIVESTRONG THEN
By STUART S DAVISSON.. Posted August 18 2009 at 3:50 AM.
When is Alan Hansen and crew gonna start giving Arsenal Football Club some credit? I get so narked that week in week out we seem to be the 'also rans' when in reality we are actually a huge sleeping giant of a football machine that is on the brink of taking our league to new heights. We will conquer this league and then Europe and then the world. We are the Beautiful Game, we are ARSENAL. Roll on Tuesday evening!!!!
By Paul Deadman.. Posted August 17 2009 at 11:34 PM.
Could not have asked for a better start to a season.Seems like the gooners will have a say on the championship race.Saying this as a gunners supporter given to modesty, otherwise the truth of the matter is that if this arsenal lads play to their potential ,they will wrap up the championship race before the turn of the new year. Either that or else i now belong to the same class with the looserpool delusionists and illusionists.
By valentine f chinhema.. Posted August 17 2009 at 10:16 AM.
I notice ALL the critics don't even mention Arsenal in a league position any more. With all their millions Man City wasn't all that brilliant, nor Chelsea, nor Liverpool and some even quote Everton. Arsenal need some credit which they might just get if this win was not just a one off. We will wait and see.
By Reg Caygill.. Posted August 16 2009 at 11:50 PM.
lets not get carried away arsenal goonies, you may have scored 6 goals but you only have 3 points
By Tony Lunt.. Posted August 16 2009 at 10:48 PM.
Shame both scouse clubs losing.This makes all our prem losing midland clubs feel better.
By bobthebaggie.. Posted August 16 2009 at 9:20 PM.
Everton were quite bad due to what's going on with Lescott, but it would be nice to see a bit of credit where it's due, Arsenal looked good! We played like more of a team than i've seen in ages, obviously getting rid of Adebayor has done wonders for morale. Vermalaen looks very good indeed so far, lovely to see him shouting and organizing our defence which is something we've desperately been missing over the last few seasons, and i very much doubt Toure will be missed either. Very moving tribute from Cesc to his friend Dani Jarque, and wasn't it lovely to see Eduardo get a goal on his first game back in the league? It may be only one game but us Gunners are understandable feeling a bit happier today. IWWT :)
By Ellie.. Posted August 16 2009 at 3:55 PM.
keep the good pace and charisma u showed us (arsenal die hard fans) yesterday, it just shows that u dnt have to spends stupid money to win matches, just maximize what u already have.
By hmwangi kenya.. Posted August 16 2009 at 3:30 PM.
great rusult yesterday,would still like another striker! ps getting rid of toure and adebydonkey was a masterstoker- toure off the pace and slack,the other one is the laziest player i ave ever seen and cant control the ball to save his live!!!!!
By steve arsenal fan.. Posted August 16 2009 at 1:07 PM.
If anything the Man City chase for Lescott has been good for Everton because it made Lescott try harder to impress and show he is worth the dough....
Man City have just saved Everton from a 12-1 defeat!
By EvertonKid1979.. Posted August 16 2009 at 12:40 PM.
im an arsenal fan and didnt expect that result , they played very well yesterday and i do hope they can keep it up for the rest of the season, roll on tuesday hopefully there as good to watch again.
As for the comment made by bOROi wenger is a genius :)
By louise loughney.. Posted August 16 2009 at 1:25 PM.
Can the writer [Chris Bascombe] please explain why he had to dedicate over half of the article to Lescott? Lescott was just part of the team that got dismantled by Arsenal. It's Arsenal's efficiency that made Everton to look that bad.I do not think Everton could have conceeded all those goals if they were playing any other team.
By Themba.. Posted August 16 2009 at 12:27 PM.
wenger needs to add 1 holding midfielder to a super attacking outfit bring on cetic not preimer leauge class.
By mick.. Posted August 16 2009 at 11:45 AM.
As a Manchester United Fan I have little or no time for Arsenal, but that aside some of the Football the gooners played yesterday was pretty tasty and to cap it off the Cesc Fabregas goal celebration and the way he dedicated it to the Espanyol skipper Daniel Jarque who passed away recently was a real tribute to not only Fabregas but to Arsenal Football Club, a tribute that all football fans regardless of where they are from deserves everyone's RESPECT, a wonderful gesture from Fabregas. The best of luck to Arsenal but second is all you can manage.
By Thai Reds.. Posted August 16 2009 at 11:39 AM.
well done arsnal this will never happen again so enjoy it
By nathan n01 liver[pool fan.. Posted August 16 2009 at 11:36 AM.
"Thomas was fine alright, but to me his positioning was suspect. That can be exploited by teams. look at how they were beaten on two occasions."
By taban asega, Moyo.
-----
Are you telling me that defenders shouldn't be beaten in a game? Even Rio and Vidic get beaten in every game.
The guy is class; just admit it and stop talking trash. He was after all an Ajax player.
By Kwame Boadu.. Posted August 16 2009 at 11:09 AM.
Manchester City are only doing to Everton what they did to Wolves.Lescott is only trying to better himself in his choosen career. There is not a person reading this who would not do the same.
By epic.. Posted August 16 2009 at 10:16 AM.
I secretly wish we had Lescott here at Liverpool. He,s 10 times better than Carragher, Skrtel and Agger. But yesterday showed the whole transfer wrangle has upset the apple cart at Goodison. He should be shipped out immediately. If it weren't for the injury to Jagielka, I think the deal would have been done ages ago. Yobo is they're only viable option at centre back, with either Rodwell or Phil Neville.
By Eddie _Honda11.. Posted August 16 2009 at 9:52 AM.
Moyes is always given such credit for his achievements at Everton on a shoestring, yet Wenger is always criticised, even though Arsenal are always in the top 4.
By jon ward.. Posted August 16 2009 at 9:51 AM.
Great win for the gunners, after moyes' comments about city being disgusting this result made my day! We will have lescott in January now for about 8 million plus you can have jo for nought!
By City fan mcr... Posted August 16 2009 at 9:39 AM.
Thomas was fine alright, but to me his positioning was suspect. That can be exploited by teams. look at how they were beaten on two occasions.
By taban asega, Moyo.. Posted August 16 2009 at 9:32 AM.
What price taking a stand now,eh Toffees?
What goes around,comes around!
By Bobthebaker.. Posted August 16 2009 at 8:27 AM.
Vermaelen looked absolutely quality. Mind you, Arsene wouldn't have spent £10m on someone if they weren't. I still feel we're short of a top class defensive midfielder, Song is good cover either CB or DM, but not an ideal starting 11 player. Come on the Arsenal Board, release some of Ade's cash.
By chris.. Posted August 16 2009 at 8:20 AM.
I was at Everton yesterday,my 45th consecutive season,& I have never been so embarrassed. With regards to Lescott, I cannot bare to look at him,I always liked him, but this saga upset the whole team spirit. The only good thing about this result is that its a massive wake up call & things cannot get any worse
By ANDY L .. Posted August 16 2009 at 8:08 AM.
What an excellent start. Thrifty Wenger showed he knows what he is doing, not like some others managers who only showed big figure signings but not big figure scorings.
The goals will be helpful when goal difference is required at the end of the season
By bOROi Malaysia Boleh.. Posted August 16 2009 at 7:46 AM.
why don't people just understand wenger is a genius
By anthony odilibe.. Posted August 16 2009 at 7:42 AM.
a good start to the new season
gotta add some seasonning though
By benjamin lee.. Posted August 16 2009 at 3:27 AM.
i aint noo arsenal fan but blimey if u win 6-1 away from home that aint no fluke,its alright asking for 2-3 players but wenger sees his team day in day out when he buys only 1 player 4 the start of the season that says to me he knows wot hes doing an wot direction his team is going
By pinna villa fan.. Posted August 16 2009 at 4:10 AM.
Obasi give credit where it is due and stop slagging off the manager and team - it was a good all round performance
By sue.. Posted August 16 2009 at 2:49 AM.
Fantastic debut by Vermaelen. Looked class. Couple more solid signings and we’ll be in contention.
By L Modric.. Posted August 16 2009 at 1:21 AM.
hope Arsene doesn't get carried away by this fluke result and fail to address the glaring weaknesses in the team by bringing two or three players in
By emeka obasi.. Posted August 16 2009 at 12:53 AM.