Moyesy says: "We had opportunities to get two goals up but they did not go in for us. Arsenal showed after the break how good they were. The instructions were to keep it tight early on in the second half but they got a huge lift when they scored. I thought we played better and thought that the boys went about the game in the right way. There are some positives I can take from this game and I cannot always say that. There are signs that we are playing a bit better and I am hopeful results will come."

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Arsenal 3 Everton 1 Fans Match Report By Ong Jiing Yih From Singapore

Everton have it all to do to ensure their season does not turn into a long and hard done, having come off a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Despite Leon Osman’s 9th-minute opener, strikes from Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie put the Gunners’ noses in front. Half time substitute Theo Walcott then applied the finishing touch in injury time to seal the points for the hosts.

Prior to the game, the signs looked ominous for the Toffees, who had to make do without Joseph Yobo, Segundo Castillo and Victor Anichebe. With Mikel Arteta as skipper plus Steven Piennar and Jack Rodwell, the side battled well throughout although one was could always sense Arsenal’s pace, speed and overall quality were going to make difference. It did not help when the first ball out of defence was always a lofted high ball, as well as Arteta to name one of several players who seemingly felt lost, as gaps appeared between the midfield and attack.

Unlike the home side that dominated possession, the word wasn’t synonymous with Everton and lone forward Yakubu was forced to feed off scraps. Despite that predicament, Everton began brightly and drew first blood early on. Having received a ball from Leighton Baines, Pienaar found space and raged down the left. He then centred first time, and in came an onrushing Osman who proceeded to slide the ball past Manuel Almunia and into the net. Though Gael Clichy and debutant Mikael Silvestre tried their best, it wasn’t enough to prevent the goal.

However Cesc Fabregas, who showed concern about the lack of midfield steel in the press during the week, fashioned a goalscoring opportunity from range which went over. Still, it was Everton who tried to exploit Arsenal’s tentative start to the game and as it turned out, Marouane Fellaini forced Alexander Song into conceding a corner. Arsenal then threatened to equalise with van Persie in the thick of things. In the 16th minute, he latched onto a long ball over the top and with Joleon Lescott almost usurped, he placed a stern shot only for Tim Howard to dive low and made a great save.

However, Everton were as good as they got and after some persistence by Yakubu upfield, positive play almost brought about a second goal on 22 minutes. Osman had clear sight of goal having been set free, but a crucial deflection off Silvestre’s foot denied him and a great chance was gone. A slick move involving Nasri, Clichy and Adebayor almost opened up the Everton defence, as the Togo striker’s header sailed over the bar. In the 31st minute, van Persie won a freekick off Lescott and sent in the freekick which Howard did well to punch away. As Arsenal began to ask questions of the defence, Everton knew exactly what was coming but they somehow conceded possession way too easily, at the same time which Arsenal surprisingly went about with a direct approach.

There were frantic scenes on goal approaching half time and it was Everton who could have regained the lead. After Baines had crossed, Lescott attempted to direct a header towards goal but as it veered away, Clichy stood a yard of the line and cleared the effort. Yakubu then almost had a half chance but could only blast the ball skywards. Gunners captain Kolo Toure had been struggling with some shoulder discomfort towards the break, and was replaced by Walcott.

His entrance seemed to have a galvanizing impact on Arsenal’s game as Nasri let fly with a screamer, driving home from 25 yards to restore parity for the hosts. The defence was then guilty of ball watching as van Persie was left unattended to pull the trigger, only to miss the goal. The first flashpoint of the game came on the hour mark when Tony Hibbert went in hard on Denilson and was booked for his robust challenge. Moments later, Walcott surged forward and tried to make his presence felt literally, but he could only grimace at a missed chance.

Despite some sporadic attacks in the second period, Arteta almost opened to rout to goal – having got the better of his marker, Piennar sent in a teasing cross which Yakubu headed forward, but the South African failed to get the crucial final touch. Everton struggled to clear their lines as Arsenal piled on the pressure, which brought about the inevitable second goal for the home side. Fabregas slipped in Adebayor who then returned the favour to the Spaniard, whose strike was kept out by Howard. Unfortunately, van Persie followed in to prod the ball home and put his side 2-1 in the lead on 70 minutes.

Although Louis Saha and James Vaughan were summoned late on for a last throw of the dice, it was not to be. In stoppage time, Walcott finished off a good move he initiated inside the box. Having taken Abou Diaby’s cutback on a plate, he sent in a low grounder in between Howard’s legs to seal the game for Arsenal at 3-1. Things don’t look any easier for the Blues, with Tim Cahill still suspended for the upcoming visit of Manchester United next Saturday.

What Do You Think The Score Will Be? e-mail info@bluekipper.com

* 2-2 Yak and Arteta to score. Callum.

* Can't see us winning this. 2-1 to the Gooners. Bri Small.

* With Arsenal's injuries and us starting to play a bit, I can see a win here. Arsenal allow you to play. Ossie and Peanuts to score in a 2-1 win. Harry.

Tim Cahill is out suspended. Moyesy has worries over Segundo Castillo who has a hamstring strain and Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo have a snotty nose. Everton are hopeful that captain Phil Neville and Leon Osman will be fit.

Tony Hibbert thinks Everton could get a result at Arsenal tomorrow.

Hibbo says: "I thought we were brilliant there last season. Playing against a side of their quality in a world class stadium is what you want as a footballer. But we know how difficult it is going to be because they are a top side. This is the type of game that brings the best out of the players we have here. That's why it's better we are tackling a side like Arsenal as opposed to someone else. It's difficult but it's not impossible. A good result there will see confidence go sky high again."

Sausage's XI To Start: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Neville, Yakubu.

Everton from: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Saha, Yakubu, Yobo, Vaughan, Nash, Anichebe, Rodwell, Valente, Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Baxter.

IF ANY EVERTON FAN WANTS TO WRITE A REPORT OF ANY OF THIS SEASON'S GAMES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO. JUST E-MAIL IT TO info@bluekipper.com AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE SITE.

Arsenal are without captain Gallas, Sagna and Bendtner through injury, but should have Djourou, Van Persie and Fabregas who all received knocks during the Internationals this week. With having a big squad, they will still be able to put out a top side.

Arsen says: "Unfortunately we have lost some players over the 10 days - William Gallas, Bacary Sagna and Nicklas Bendtner. These are heavy losses and we have to compensate them. Fortunately the three of them don't look to be out for a long, long time but they will be out for the weekend game and I think the game on Tuesday. As well as them, Djourou got concussion during his game with Switzerland and will be assessed tomorrow (Friday) to see if he is available. He does not look too bad and he could have a good chance to play.

I am still waiting for Robin to come back so I don't know about him. However he should be okay. He went with a muscle problem but he came on after 56 minutes last night and, from the reports I got, he should be alright. Both of them will be assessed. Also I am told Cesc has a broken nose. It should not stop him playing. He is here now and is being assessed."

The Arse From: Almunia, Clichy, Toure, Verla, Eboue, Fabregas, Song Billong, Silvestre, Hoyte, Vela, Djourou, Denilson, Nasri, Wallcot, Van Persie, Adebayor, Ramsey, Wilshire, Fabianski, Randell, Simpson, Merida, Lansbury, Gibbs.

Arsenal v Everton Last Season