Intriguing for psychologists, infuriating for supporters, incapable of finishing anywhere other than third or fourth, this was an insight into Arsenal.
A team who can invariably win under some kinds of pressure, but not others, offered another indication of their peculiar mind-set.
Victories can be rarities when the title is at stake. When their top-four status is imperilled, however, they become formidable opponents.
So there was a certain predictability to this. It is scarcely surprising when Everton lose at home anyway but the assured way Arsenal eased to victory suggested talk their season had gone into meltdown was overblown.
“The character of my players was questioned,” said manager Arsene Wenger. “It was a mental test. We had our backs to the wall and responded well. We knew if we didn’t win here we were out of it.”
He was referring to the title race. “I am not masochistic enough to consider us out,” said Wenger.
Their realistic aspirations are retaining their top-four status. It is insufficient for many in their support.
A deep-rooted dissatisfaction was reflected in the way that fans called for owner Stan Kroenke to go but this was not a day to support claims Wenger should leave the Emirates Stadium. Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi scored in a very Wengerish win.
Also see: Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi fire Arsenal back into title frame – in pictures
A more ruthless side than Arsenal would have added further goals but they still had the excellence in possession to exert control.
“We have a game based on movement, mobility, technical level and attacking football,” said Wenger. It yielded two goals. The only alarm came early on. Seamus Coleman hit the post in the second minute as, courtesy of a ricochet at the other end, did Danny Welbeck.
Thereafter, Arsenal played with a confidence that belied their recent wretched run. Yet, while they had recorded a solitary win – and against second-tier opposition at that – in their previous eight games, they seemed galvanised by defeat to Barcelona, or at least the encouraging nature of it.
Two of those to trouble the European champions scored against the Everton underachievers.
A sprightly Alexis Sanchez bisected his hosts’ defence with a pass. A lively Welbeck ran on to it, darted around Joel Robles and finished.
The lead was doubled by a combination of youngsters. Hector Bellerin released Alex Iwobi. He accelerated away from Ramiro Funes Mori and picked his spot past Robles to cap a breakthrough week.
Five days ago, he had started neither a Champions League nor a Premier League game. Now he has begun both, made a favourable impression and opened his Arsenal account.
“He is an intelligent boy who loves football,” said Wenger. Iwobi has been on Arsenal’s books since he was eight. Now 19, he is taking the opportunity he has unexpectedly been afforded.
Wenger is rarely happier than discussing a prodigy who has performed. Iwobi flourished as Everton floundered.
“It looked like a fearful performance,” said manager Roberto Martinez.
Arsenal profited by attacking the left half of his defence, where both Funes Mori and Leighton Baines were caught out of position. They were denied a penalty when Sanchez was tripped by Muhamed Besic and bundled over by Funes Mori. It mattered not.
Goodison Park was so subdued the Arsenal fans, citing the lack of atmosphere at their own ground, chorused: “Is this the Emirates?”
Martinez argued the performance was a “one-off”. The result was not. Eight home league defeats, and the concession of 28 goals, have taken their toll on the Goodison faithful.
A week after an up-tempo evisceration of Chelsea came a downbeat defeat.
“We had doubt and we were pedestrian,” said an unusually critical Martinez. “I haven’t seen us play that badly this season.”
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