Everton 1 Arsenal 0: Wenger cries foul at Moyes' 'bully' tactics
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Your support makes all the difference.There should have been more from the visitors to Goodison Park, but despite a seventh defeat on his travels this season Arsène Wenger would only indulge in accusations.
"You can't tell me that was real football," the Arsenal manager said of a performance that brought Everton a merited fourth successive League win, before he insisted that David Moyes' team had "bullied" their way to the victory.
Of more concern to Wenger is his side's inability to overcome physical pressure, or the Emirates Stadium could open without Champions' League football and, perhaps, Thierry Henry next season. Alarmingly, the Arsenal manager admitted that he may have to wait for the 19-year-old Abou Diaby to adapt to English football before a remedy arrives.
"We have not found a response to these kind of games and we could be punished hard if we don't," Wenger said. "We need to be more muscular away from home. Diaby will help. He's a strong player."
With Spurs four points ahead in fourth place, and trips to Anfield and Old Trafford to come, Arsenal may also have to follow the Liverpool route of winning the European Cup to be in the competition next year. "Of course I'm concerned we might even miss out on a Champions' League place," Wenger admitted.
The Arsenal manager's ideal of a Premiership utopia is admirable, but until wealth is distributed so all clubs can afford £12m for an untested teenager the concept shall remain fanciful. Everton conceded 14 goals against the graceful Gunners last season and were entitled to alter their approach accordingly, but they were not guilty of tactics from the rough house.
There were two reckless fouls in the first half: one from Lauren on Mikel Arteta; the other from James Beattie on Robert Pires. Only the tireless Everton centre-forward received a yellow card. In the second half Everton's endeavour flagged, yet Arsenal failed to create one clear chance.
"I didn't think we were over-physical. We got around Arsenal," said Moyes, who saw Beattie's rehabilitation continue when he sliced through Phillippe Senderos and Sol Campbell to score on 13 minutes. "I would love to say, 'Let's have a game of complete football and see who outdoes the other'. But, as we know, we don't have that level. We have to try and bridge the gap between their ability and ours. Our spirit and competitiveness helps bridge that."
Goal: Beattie (13) 1-0.
Everton (4-4-1-1): Martyn; Hibbert, Weir, Ferrari (Stubbs, 31), Valente; Arteta (Ferguson, 86), Neville, Cahill, Kilbane; Osman; Beattie. Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Naysmith, McFadden.
Arsenal (4-4-2): Lehmann; Gilbert (Hleb, 73), Senderos, Campbell, Lauren; Ljungberg, Fabregas, Gilberto, Pires (Diaby, 81); Reyes, Henry. Substitutes not used: Flamini, Almunia (gk), Djourou.
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
Booked: Everton Beattie, Valente, Hibbert, Cahill; Arsenal Reyes, Gilberto.
Sent off: Fabregas (90).
Man of the match: Osman.
Attendance: 36,920.
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