Arsenal had gone three games, against some very good teams, without conceding a goal, but Everton’s deflected shot finally got past Petr Cech in the dying moments of the first half. That made it a nervy second half, and Arsene Wenger admitted it was difficult. “It was tough but I felt we played with great concentration, great solidarity,” Le Prof said on Arsenal.com. “After 2-0 it is important not to concede at half-time, that is maybe the negative of the day as we got caught on the break just before half-time.
“But after that our solidarity was exceptional, it got us through. We could not score the third goal but we had the chances and in the end we got three massive points. When you can win a game after such a massive game like Tuesday night, that tells you a lot about your team.
“It is very pleasing [to go top of the table],” added Wenger. “We were in a crisis at the start of the season and nine games later nobody would have predicted that because we relied on our spirit, our togetherness and our desire to do well. It worked, so lets continue with these ingredients.”
Everton came very close to getting an equalizer at the end of the second half as well, but Petr Cech managed to get in the way of Gerard Delofeu’s close range effort, which Wenger couldn’t help but praise. “That is why I cannot play in goal and we need a top-level goalkeeper,” he said. “It is a vital moment just before the end of the game to keep us in the match. If the ball goes in, we have no time to respond anymore. That is why he is world class.“
John Terry said that Cech would be worth 12 points to Arsenal this season, and the 33 year-old has certainly started earning his keep…..