Capitulation Almost Complete

#Everton 3 - 0 #Arsenal
Match Report

The better team won today, better coach, better players, better atmosphere.  Early games on the road continue to be Arsenal's undoing, I knew the team was in trouble, when I heard the manager say we dont play for draw, we come into all these matches the SAME WAY, to get all three points.  Thats fine and dandy when your play away to Norwich, but when your playing away to a quality side the smart thing to do would be to play for draw, at least keep it real tight defensively, and try to nick a goal.   Am I going crazy, but isn't that what Arsenal did last year, to scrape by and achieve fourth place?  When Man City realized Arsenal were in a 2nd half ascendancy at the Emirates, they calmly shut it down and play out a 1 -1 draw.  When Chelsea came to the Emirates they GLADLY played for a draw.  When Man Utd. came they played for a draw.  When Arsenal traveled to Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and now Everton, Arsenal played the SAME WAY they always play, and got destroyed.  All four games were done and dusted by halftime with a combined 20 - 4 scoreline.  Who are we kidding as Arsenal supporters, man was I fooled, we never had a prayer at winning anything, maybe the FA Cup, but to give up 20 goals in all four of those matches is pathetic.  Fool me once shame on you, fool me for the last 8 years shame on all of us supporters.  The worst part is the whole footballing universe could see the meltdown coming, but I was so steadfast in denial, refusing to believe what was coming, and now I sit here wondering where does the club go from here?  The answer is Wembley for the FA Cup Semifinal match against Wigan.  All of us must now dust ourselves off and put this match behind and give everything to win the FA Cup.  Everton still have some tough matches to play and who knows Arsenal could get lucky and scrape by again for 4th place.

The Good -  The Atmosphere at Goodison Park was fantastic.  The Everton fans sang beautifully all match.  It made me jealous, and the same time reminisce of all the wonderful matches at Highbury, the intimacy, and connection you get from a smaller stadium always makes the atmosphere brilliant to watch on TV.

Roberto Martinez - Out coached, out maneuvered, he really showed his tactical nous.  He really showed why those whispers of him being Arsenal's next coach could be true.  At first I didn't understand those rumors about Martinez, but now I do,  Martinez devised a tactical game plan that will be the blueprint for all future opponents to beat Arsenal, because Arsenal always play the SAME WAY.

The Bad & Ugly - Arsenal as a whole were dreadful, from the top to the bottom absolutely dreadful.  Arsenal never looked like scoring a goal.  Arsenal looked lethargic, unsure, and weak, while Everton were energized, physical and intense.  Ive always said, I dont care if Arsenal loose, as long as we put in the effort and intensity, on Saturday against Everton, I got neither, what I got was a mentally, and physically exhausted squad just trying to make it to the finish line. 

Peach Out, 
Blanco