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DISCLAIMER: This article was written while I was still full of adrenaline after Arsenal’s 6-1 victory. For a more level-headed view of the weekend, come back tomorrow.

After seeing Chelsea avoid a home embarrassment to a lively Hull City, and new billionaires Manchester City put in an average display that resulted in a 2-0 victory over Blackburn, it was Arsenal’s turn to secure 3 points and see them join the other early season tips for the top 5, at the high end of the table. And they didn’t disappoint. Not by a long shot.

To say Arsenal dominated the match at Goodison Park is an understatement. The systematic dismantling of the Premier League’s 5th place club, from just a year ago, was just as big a joy on the eyes as it was on any Gooners’ nervy stomach. Arsenal’s ownership of this away match, left many wondering whether they’d made the right decision in doubting the Gunners after all. The tension was high before the match and a good start to this pivotal ‘will they, won’t they’ season was a pre-requisite to shut up any of the ‘experts’ who placed Man City above Arsenal in their start of the year predictions. And I can say with some certainty that Arsenal have proven a point. 

The pre-match tension translated into a cagey first 15 minutes. Both teams had trouble hanging onto the ball, and, by extension creating chances. But, after the 20 minute mark, something seemed to change. Arsenal gained confidence after establishing themselves in this crucial away tie, and the chances started flowing. An early catalyst for the Arsenal attack was undoubtedly Nicklas Bendtner on the right wing. He held the ball up brilliantly and his link up play contributed to some very meaningful chances. Not the least of which led to Arsenal’s first goal. A dummy helped him round Leighton Baines easily, then find Fabregas in the middle, who then slotted it in for a Denilson shot which found itself in the top corner of Everton’s net. 1-0 Arsenal. Everton then held their ground for 12 minutes, seemingly stemming the Arsenal tide, but  Thomas Vermaelen found himself untouched in the box for a headed debut goal from a Robin van Persie free kick. This defensive ineptitude broke their spirit. Four minutes later, William Gallas found himself, again unmarked, to add a third. 3-0 at the half was exactly what the doctor ordered, and the performance only got more exemplary of Arsenal’s title ambitions in the second half. Two Fabregas goals highlighted an Arsenal counter-attack similar to those of the Invincibles era. Fabregas dedicated both of his goals to his late friend, 26-year-old Daniel Jarque, the captain of Espanyol who died just last week in his hotel after a training session. A great gesture, as Fabregas held up the ‘Jarque’ ‘21′ shirt in his honor. This also resulted in some unexpected TV time for kit-man Vic Akers. Go on Vic. Late on Eduardo and Louis Saha traded goals to make the final scoreline a resounding 6-1. Actions speak louder than words, surely. But this 6-1 scoreline sends a message to the rest of the Premier League.

So many idiots in the press have made statements that Arsenal will be somewhat lucky to finish fourth this season. What absolute crap. How dare any of the media doubt a team who have been at the summit of the Premier League for so long, and without fail. Sure there have been troubles in recent seasons, but no one can doubt Arsene Wenger’s managerial and motivational skills to consistently lead to top-four finishes. All the media have done have given Arsenal plenty of dressing room pin-up material for months to come. Every time a journalist slagged Arsenal off, Wenger smiled.

Now, I am not saying that a 6-1 defeat over a woeful Everton means Arsenal are title favorites overnight. Far from it. In fact, this resounding victory might only serve to make things a bit harder on Arsenal, as teams will be more aware of the imposing threat that the Gunners still possess. But, this match did allow for one thing to be proven, if you wrote this team off for a meaningful title challenge, and picked them for a fourth place struggle, you’re going to look quite silly in 9 months time. Lets look at the team “weaknesses”. Alex Song, was almost perfect yesterday in his role as a DM stopper; continuing his outstanding play from the stretch run last season. He never stopped working and he won the ball back time and time again. The 5′10″ Vermaelen, was labeled too short to partner William Gallas at the back. A Man Utd-supporting friend of mine said he looked surprisingly Vidic-like when attacking balls in the air (I’d have to agree), as he was a clear improvement over the aerially-inept Kolo Toure. Nicklas Bendtner looked the real deal on the right flank, making me wonder, for the first time, if Walcott really is a better option. The best part about all of it, is that this “thin” Arsenal squad will have top-quality players fighting for starting spots week in and week out.

While perspective is needed for most Arsenal fans, as this huge defeat was mainly due to Everton’s utter ineptitude at the back, we as Arsenal supporters should at least be thankful for a temporary hush to the media’s shouts for collapse.

There is something that happened yesterday, that had not been seen at Arsenal for the past couple of years. In the second half, captain Cesc Fabregas, shifted the team into a 3rd gear which made their potent attacking dominance all the more beautiful. The 4th and 5th goals showed to me that this team, unlike Arsenal teams in the past, can put teams away. Eduardo, adding Arsenal’s 6th, with the help of Andrey Arshavin, was the exclamation point to an outstanding display; it also proved just how rich with attacking options this team truly is. Its not as if they needed 4, 5 or even 6 to see Everton off, but the continued attacking mentality just exemplified Arsenal’s true intentions yesterday at Goodison Park: to send a message.

Post your comments, and start debate on what you think this victory means here.