Arsenal's Perfect Storm

Good day, Gooners!

Arsenal 6 Everton 1.

6-1? I know.

6-1?!? WTF.

6-1? Touchdown plus dance...okay, maybe we didn't get to see an Eboue dance but deep down you know he was thinking about jumping off the bench and breaking it down!

Moving right along I felt we started the match strong, and rabid . Not like little chihuahuas of the last few years but fierce Rottweilers. Hungry. Starved. In the first few minutes I witnessed more steel in the tackle than maybe I have seen in the last four years. Song billong billabong with a big ole schlong was wrecking Everton players...but fairly. Song was well impressive on challenging headers and bodying up Fellaini throughout the match. Song was everywhere. I had hoped he would have a good showing and he delivered. Also impressive was Vermaelen's debut. Many bloggers and fans alike were quick to dismiss him because of his size. The former Ajax captain was hard in the challenge and leaped well over both Fellaini and Jo on numerous occasions; he actually dented in Fellaini's fro on one of his high flying clearances! Throw in a goal and it was a complete debut. In short, the entire back four and even Almunia (rarely challenged really) looked solid and cohesively bound. Didn't you just think there was something in the air? It felt like a storm was a brewin'...

Not only did defensive-minded players deliver like they ought to...they added to our goal tally. Denilson scored our first goal of the season with a blinder of a shot. Both @Arsenalind and I sat on the couch with mouths gaping. Well delivered for a player who has been a constant doubt by our fans. I imagine this strike and start to his season will only boost his confidence and he'll emerge as one of our brightest, and surprising stars this term. And shortly thereafter Arsenal get a goal from V and then nicely put away by our very own Capi. 3 goals from the most unlikely of characters. It felt like all of the components, all of the elements were coming together...3-nil at half. Defenders getting stuck in, and then scoring goals. WTF.

And then the defender's offense, and their influence rolled over to our mids; in particular, Captain Cesc was swept up in the flurry. Our Capitan scores goal 4 and 5 with thunder claps of cheers from the stands and the route was clearly on. Notably, and personally pleasing for me (cuz I love the nutmeg) I saw the break for number 4 start with a nutmeg from the back by Arshavin, then meg to RVP, then meg to Cesc to finish. How incredible was that? And then late we had Dudu's return to the Premiership capped off with a tap-in.

Meteorologists say that for a Perfect Storm to occur all components of the weather event must occur simultaneously; even a slight change in any one event contributing to the perfect storm would lessen its overall impact.

In comparison to what we saw on Saturday I would say we witnessed an Arsenal Perfect Storm. The strong start by the Arsenal defense influenced the offense in a way that may have had them more relaxed, more free to create and move forward. Witnessing the defense winning balls, and tackling the opposition can only help the offense become more confident. This strong presence in the back may have helped Bendtner be more confident with the ball, skinning his defender, passing it off to Cesc who then setup Denilson. More confidence in the defense allows our creative, offensive players the opportunity to try new things because if they lose the ball they know that they have that support behind them to clean up the mistake(s). For the Storm to continue very rare but notable events must take place and no better example of this is by having three defensive players score and lead the offense, and the rest of the team into halftime up 3-nil.

The cushion of being up three allowed the offense to move freely and without restriction. Cesc took advantage of the Storm's overall impact, slotted through the spine of the Everton defense and scored two beauties! Finally, Arshavin tried to get in on the onslaught but his shot was deflected off of the post and Eduardo tapped in. I would say with some confidence that all of these happenings were a result of a collective series of influence by each individual player that contributed to the overall result.

It's not often that we are able to witness such an event; we may never see such a thing again. I think it's important to put the match and the result in perspective - first match of the season against an unsettled Everton team (due to Lescott rumors). I'll give credit to where credit is due: the entire Arsenal squad looked coherent in defense and offense. If they can consistently put performances together such as this (maybe not the same scoreline) we may see the makings of a rare event turned into regularity. And that, my Gooners, is the difference of being Champions and the first loser.

Good luck to the lads for Tuesday and beyond,

ArsenaLOS