Van Persie stunner seals win on anniversary day

Robin Van Persie scored a brilliant volley on Saturday as Arsenal beat Everton 1-0 at the Emirates on a day which saw the club celebrate 125 years of existance. The Gunners broke into the top four for the first time this season thanks to the skipper's wonder goal and also ensured they remained three points behind rivals Tottenham. The famous scoreline of 1-0 to the Arsenal could have been many more had they finished their vast amount of chances as Everton made it difficult for the hosts as they were happy to sit back and defend for most of the game. Arsenal were forced into making two changes for the match as injured Andre Santos was replaced by Djourou who went to right back with Vermaelen shifting out wide to left back as Mertesacker and Koscielny partnered each other at centre half. Mikel Arteta was playing against the club he signed from for the first time since his move to the Gunners. Manuel Almunia was in the team for the first time this season due to the injuries to Fabianski and Mannone as the Spaniard was on the bench. Rosicky was also on the bench after returning from injury.

Van Persie was once again the difference as he scored a stunning volley

The first chance of the game came early on. Arteta dispossessed Fellaini who then found Walcott who raced towards goal but instead of shooting he decided to pass the ball over to Gervinho. However he did not make contact with the ball and the chance was gone.

The next chance came to Arsenal again as Song found Ramsey, who then brought the ball onto his left foot but fired the ball just over the crossbar.

Gervinho then had a good opportunity to give the Gunners the lead as he got clear of the Everton defence but stuck his shot straight at Howard who kept out the shot comfortably.

Everton's only real sight of goal in the first half fell to Saha as the ball looped up into the path of him but he tried a shot from distance which went wide and was never going to trouble Szczesny.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Robin Van Persie was then presented with a decent opportunity to score as Walcott flashed the ball across the box but the ball had too much pace on and the captain could only put the ball way over the bar. 

Theo Walcott then created another chance but this time for himself, as he got past Baines before unleashing a shot which Howard was forced into making another good save.

Everton then started to commit men forward as first from a Baines cross Cahill almost put the ball in the net. Another chance then came as Vermaelen's header out of the box only went as far as Coleman, who set the ball back to Neville who hit a shot which only just went over Szczesny's crossbar.

With 20 minutes left Arsenal finally got the goal which they deserved. Song picked the ball up in the middle of the field before finding Van Persie. He then hit the ball first time on the volley which found the bottom corner of the net. That was the Dutchman's 33rd goal in 32 Premier League games in 2011, one short of Thierry Henry’s club record for a calendar year.

Everton substitute Conor McAleny then managed to create a chance as the 19 year old struck a looping shot from just inside the penalty area which bounced just wide of the far post.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-0 Everton.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen(83), Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott(90), Gervinho(83), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Miquel(83), Frimpong(90), Rosicky(83), Benayoun, Arshavin, Chamakh.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines, Neville(76), Fellaini, Coleman, Bilyaletdinov(76), Cahill, Saha(63).
Subs: Mucha, Distin(63), Barkley, Stracqualursi, McAleny(76), Gueye(76), Vellios.

My man of the match: Alex Song

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 60,062