Review: Arsenal 2 - Everton 2

A fair result, all in all. There will be times when we half show-up at home, and find ourselves up against opponents just that tad sharper and more committed. So I'll take the draw, it's our first at home, and it obviously could have been much worse. There had been some talk prior to the game about how our momentum would hopefully maintain intact despite the last postponed game, and that the way it started, it did look like the week in the cold hadn't been very helpful.

Lousy goal to let in through that corner (set piece again!), and you couldn't begrudge Everton the goal. We slowly picked up the pace, and deservedly got a half-lucky goal back through Denilson. At half-time, we go in level, and you could sympathise with Everton if they felt that little aggrieved.

As the weather started to get really crap, so too did our defending. (Note to Le Boss: Almunia really is becoming quite crap. Bring on Fabianski). Going forward, we we at odds as we tried to get the passing going, but at the back, there some really scary moments. Despite the fact that we kept beating down the doors then, it really wasn't that surprising to find us down again through that sucker punch.

In the end, it might not have been our prettiest effort, but it was significant enough that through sheer spirit, we managed to get one back, and could really have won it if we had more than that 5 minutes of added time.

Given the shit weather, dangers of slipping in the dark days of January and how mediocre we were, I'd take the 1 point.

What looks scary going forward though, is the depth of our squad given even more injuries. Denilson pulled up with a mysteriously scary-looking injury, and we had not choice but to bring on Merida. Eduardo had a ineffectual day out, and we only had Vela. Finally, Billy too pulled up with a weird injury early in the first half, and we had nobody in place. So I'd say we have problems in defence, midfield - with Song gone, and of course up front.

Before that then, the player ratings:

Almunia 5.5 - Not up to it, I'm afraid. Has not shown very much how he's deserved his regular place from either Fabianski or Mannone, and this should be something that needs looking at latest by the summer. Flapped at one or two, and could've done better marshalling the defence in front of him. One spaz throw out to Sagna that could've led to a goal or an injury for Sagna, and right at the end, stupid collision with Traore.

Sagna 7.5 - Good as always. Seems to have the energy all the time.

Billy 6.5 - Off day for the two-some really. After pulling up with the injury, never really looked his sharpest.

Vermaelen 6.5 - Not his most convincing as well. I'll give the boys some credit - with all the hours they've put in, you'd expect an off performance once in a long while. Could've done with a rest last weekend.

Traore 6.5 - Don't know really. Had some really really good moments, but had a lot of trouble with Landon Donovan (we could've signed him, I thought). Then got into a little hissy fit when defending a corner, and had another little yelling match with Gallas before that too. Signs of a lack of communication when he clattered into Almunia too. Weird. Wonder if Le Boss would have a quiet word with him about all that.

Denilson 7 - A decent showing, but what is it with him and his injuries?

Ramsey 6.5 - Tried his best, but I suppose we can't expect him to replicate Cesc-ian performances week in and out.

Diaby 7 - All over the place, and set up the second equaliser. But somehow, he ain't Song, and still has that irritating tendency to dwell on the ball every now and then.

Arshavin 6 - Poor guy. We really really need to move him into a position that he's more comfortable with. Tried his darnedest, and while he was always dangerous, never really did see enough of the ball.

Nasri 7 - Effective if non-spectacular showing. Needs a rest probably - so thank god for the coming week.

Eduardo 6 - Still a long ways off from what we really need.

A bad day of the office, but we're bound to have them. So will Man U and Chelski this month, I'm sure. Key thing will be to bounce back against another tricky tie against Bolton. We've got bigger shit coming up beyond that horizon.