Rampant Arsenal Put Five Past Rams
An Emmanuel Adebayor hat-trick and goals from Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby helped Arsenal to a 5-0 rout at home to Derby County to continue The Gunners’ superb start to the season.
Arsenal remain top of the Premier League after another impressive display, albeit against lacklustre opposition.
It was always going to be a tough task for Derby who have only managed to bag four points this season. They visited The Emitrates for the first time to face an Arsenal side full of confidence and seemingly on top of their game. Many observers predicted a hammering, and that’s exactly what they got.
The Oxford English Dictionary are going to have to think up some more superlatives to describe the nature of Arsenal’s football at the moment. Against Sevilla in midweek they powered to a 3-0 victory, adding to their tally wins this season and proving that perhaps in Europe this year they can mount a serious challenge.
The only blemish on their record so far is a 1-1 draw against Blackburn, and even then it was only a goalkeeping error that prevented Arsenal from taking all three points away from Ewood Park.
The Gunners made several changes to the side that emerged victorious in the Champions League on Wednesday, Hleb and Rosicky forced out through injury, so in came Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott, van Persie was rested so Eduardo got a start.
Derby would have come into the game encouraged by their first win of the season, against Newcastle at pride Park on Monday. Kenny Miller started after his stunner against The Magpies, whereas Giles Barnes had to make do with a place on the bench.
At the start of the season few people would have predicted that Arsenal would be four points clear after just six games, but after today’s victory against Derby, that’s the reality. With Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and not to mention Tottenham, having their fair share of hiccups in the early stages, Arsenal have stolen a march on a title that nobody thought could be theirs this season.
There is an argument for saying that just because Arsenal can stick five past Derby, then that doesn’t mean that they are title contenders. But their performances over the nine games so far suggest that perhaps The Gunners can flourish a season early.
Back to the Emirates and Arsenal didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet. Like on every occasion they have played away from home Derby conceded an early goal, and what a goal it was. Out of nowhere really, Abou Diaby, a player likened to a young Patrick Viera put the Gunners ahead with a stunning finish, crafting a yard of space with a series of smart turns before smashing the ball home from 20 yards. Last weekend Adebayor staked his claim for the Goal of The Month title, and Diaby’s effort was of similar quality.
As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, the disappointment on the face of the Derby players was apparent, their shoulders slumped and there was a sense of a rout inside The Emirates and the headlines were writing themselves: Rams To The Slaughter.
In total Arsenal had nine shots on target and could have perhaps had more than the five they got, and The Gunners would have loved to have bettered Liverpool’s tally against Derby, but it wasn’t to be.
Arsenal’s second of the game was another top-drawer goal, Emmanuel Adebayor getting his first of three for the afternoon, rounding the keeper and slotting home after collecting a stunning through ball from Cesc Fabregas.
Perhaps that’s why Arsenal are courting such praise at the moment, they very rarely score a scrappy goal.
The third couldn’t have been made to look stunning though, Robert Pires and Thierry Henry tried to do that a few years ago and made themselves look like fools. It came from the penalty spot after Matt Oakley had taken a fondness to Eduardo, tugging at the Croatians shirt, prompting Martin Atkinson to point to the spot. Adebayor stepped up, like he did against Pompey, and calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
So far this season Arsenal are having no trouble in filling the void of goals expected from the departure of Thierry Henry, scoring a massive 14 goals in their last four outings. Cesc Fabregas is helping himself, netting his sixth in as many games with a 70 minute strike from outside the area, the ball swerving cruelly to deceive poor Bywater, who would be advised to see a chiropractor after spending much of this season stooping to get the ball out of the back of the net.
Adebayor completed proceedings ten minutes from time, completing a deserved hat-trick, his first in senior football. It’s only what he’s earned this season after performing, without exception, in every game he’s played in. His third was his best, a long diagonal ball was fed to the Togo star who controlled it on his chest before advancing towards goal and side-footing home, much to the chagrin of Derby, who looked to have had enough at half-time.
A 5-0 victory over a poor Derby side might not suggest a first title since 2004, but Arsenal continue to prove doubters wrong, and if they keep going like this, the sky is the limit.
Squads:
Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Kolo Toure, Philippe Senderos, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Cesc Fabregas (Denilson 71) Mathieu Flamini (Alexandre Song 78), Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott (Lassana Diarra 71), Eduardo, Emmanuel Adebayor.
Derby County: Stephen Bywater, Andy Griffin, Tyrone Mears, Dean Leacock, Claude Davis, Matt Oakley, (Benny Feilhaber 55), Stephen Pearson, Gary Teale, Eddie Lewis, Kenny Miller (James McEveley 86), Steve Howard (Giles Barnes 76).
Liverpool Drop More Points
Liverpool have dropped another two points after failing to find a way past a resolute Birmingham side at Anfield this afternoon.
In a repeat of last weeks clash with Portsmouth, Rafael Benitez left Fernando Torres on the bench and ended up paying the price as the match ended goalless, meaning that Liverpool have now drawn three league games on the spin and four in all competitions.
The slump has seen the early season optimism diminish as Liverpool again drop points against lesser opposition when Benitez has tinkered with his team, which has been the big problem in recent seasons.
When Torres was introduced on the hour mark Liverpool looked a much improved threat, but it was too little too late as Birmingham defended resolutely to earn an impressive point as the Blues continue their fine recent run of results over Liverpool.
Benitez started with Ryan Babel in a more attacking role and Liverpool started brightly with John Arne Riise, back from injury, having a couple of attempts at goal.
Birmingham were then hit by a major blow when loan signing Borja Oubina had to be stretchered off with what looked to be a serious knee injury.
The next player to have an effort at Maik Taylor in Birmingham's goal was his former team-mate Jermaine Pennant, but the home team did not dominate as one might expect given the gulf in expectations of the two teams.
After the break Liverpool upped the pressure as Steven Gerrard was denied on the line by Nehdi Nafti, while the disappointing Andriy Voronin had a shot saved by Taylor.
Torres came on as did Peter Crouch in the closing stages and both had opportunities, however, first the Spaniard was denied as a superb bicycle kick attempt flew just over the bar, while Crouch was denied by a last ditch challenge from Steven Kelly.
Liverpool's supporters will be left disappointed with the result, which has seen the early league leaders slip four points behind Arsenal.
Man of The Match - Liam Ridgewell
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