Arsenal add to their weaponry

Everton 1 Arsenal 4:Phil Neville happily courted allegations of bias with the assertion the final Saturday of 2007 would have no decisive influence on the destination of the title. That, of course, remains a matter of conjecture. What are beyond dispute, and should alarm anyone of an Old Trafford persuasion, are Arsenal's convincing responses to the harshest of interrogations.

The disdain was audible in Arsène Wenger's voice when he was asked to assess the merits of his side's long-ball game at Goodison Park, as though his principles had been dealt the ultimate insult when in fact the manner of this victory and the return to the Premier League summit were tribute to Arsenal's soaring maturity.

"I didn't want that," Wenger insisted. "In the first half we were too direct. In the second half we played in behind them and gave more room for our midfielders to play. Our goals did come from long balls, but that was also because Everton stopped us playing and we had to go a little bit longer."

Having proved they could physically mix it long ago there was no crime in blending prosaic attacks into their beautiful game here, not when it produced such a devastating result. Indeed, many Arsenal observers would argue such a radical departure is long overdue from a Wenger team, and a variety of weapons will be essential until May whatever the impact on the manager's sensibilities.

Despite Wenger's criticism of his side's direct approach, which was more restrained for the second-half display that yielded four goals from four shots on Tim Howard's goal, the Arsenal manager's praise for the character, resilience and sheer passion on display brooked no argument. To leave Everton with such a commanding result broke new ground. It was symbolic too that Eduardo da Silva, the Croatian striker on which much of the Thierry Henry transfer fee was spent, should announce himself on the Premier League stage at Goodison Park.

"He reminds me of a young Robbie Fowler in the way he moves inside the area and finishes," said the Arsenal manager.

Outplayed and outmanoeuvred as the visitors were throughout the first half by an Everton side in fine form and deservedly in front when Tim Cahill converted at close range, the contest was transformed by Eduardo's first two league goals for Arsenal at the start of the second half. Both came from Gael Clichy passes amid pandemonium in the home defence - though a handball was missed for the Croatian's second - and even when Nicklas Bendtner was dismissed for a second bookable offence further generosity in the Everton defence, from Joseph Yobo and Howard, presented substitute Emmanuel Adebayor with the third. Tomas Rosicky's stoppage-time fourth merely compounded Goodison disbelief.

Neville, the Everton captain, conceded: "Arsenal look like they have added that little bit of toughness. A couple of years ago they came here, we got in about them and they showed a weakness. Now they are a lot tougher, but I think United's squad is far stronger and far superior and has got more experience.

"I think it makes a hell of a difference United have been there and done it, but at the same time youthful exuberance sometimes beats experience . . ."

What lies around the corner for Cesc Fàbregas is greatness, provided he eradicates the dreadful play-acting that prompted a red card for his friend from the Barcelona youth system Mikel Arteta.

The Spanish conductor was caught by his Everton counterpart's forearm six minutes from time, but collapsed as though he had been smashed into 1,000 pieces.

Everton's midfielder, who will miss the League Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea through suspension, admitted: "I don't want to blame Fàbregas because he was trying to gain an advantage for his team and that is normal. I would do the same. But I am disappointed with my sending off."