I wasn't optimistic going into the season but what a brilliant start to the season by Arsenal. I am not a big fan of the 4-3-3 formation especially with Bendtner playing on the right. However when the game started, the team looked really comfortable moving the ball around. Then it started raining, raining goals that is and it just wouldn't stop. By the end of the first half Arsenal were 3 goals up against Everton in Goodison park. At the end of the game, Arsenal had scored 6 goals. The only blight on the game was Arsenal couldnt keep a clean sheet.
Tactically I thought the way the midfield was set up was perfect because it played to the strengths of the players. Song anchored the midfield and did an amazing job playing the holding role in central midfield while Cesc and Denilson were given free roles. Denilson has been criticized a lot the past year but I think restricting him to that defensive midfield role was part of the problem. Denilson in my opinion is a box to box player and he is better when he is given a free role further up the pitch. Finally Cesc Fabregas led like a captain and put his stamp on the game with 2 goals and 2 assists.
My man of the match was Vermaelen which is rather ironic because I was very critical of the signing. I thought he was too short, too young and came from a poor Ajax defence. Today, Vermaelen looked very calm and collected at the back, he competed in the air against the taller Everton players and was excellent when the ball was on the ground. The defence still looked shaky during the game but it was good to see a defender that could actually defend and he looked comfortable defending unlike Kolo Troure who looked to be in a state of constant panic the last couple of years.
Talk about Arsenal not finishing in the top 4, I think today Arsenal put their marker down on the title challenge. I still think we need a couple of signings to freshen things up and improve the depth of the team but I am no longer as worried as I was before the start of the season.