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Antony Sutton

Arsenal's thrashing of Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday was just the latest in a long line of high scoring affairs between the two sides. There have been a couple of 4-1 triumphs for the Arse up north as well as a convincing 7-0 on Arsenal's home turf. Given the freedom to play Arsenal will thump them, no question.

The fact is Everton are not that good a team. Their success comes from hard work. When they have had the upper hand over Arsenal they have managed to grind out narrow victories by closing down the Gunners midfield and not allowing them time to settle on the ball. Lots of harrying and chasing back. It's not a particularly pretty form of the beautiful game but when the whole team applies itself it's effective.

To be fair there's little to be said about Everton. Given extra resources you wonder what David Moyes would be capable of achieving as he is doing a reasonable job for now on a small budget. Fair play to the club for sticking with him.

But enough about them. What about the Arse? By selling the weakest links during the close season manager Arsene Wenger has undoubtedly strengthened the squad. A point missed by many so called experts who truly believe you spend big to become big.

Song sitting in front of the back four continued his fine form from the end of last season while Thomas Vermaelen impressed at the back against much bigger opponents. And while I did groan when I found out that Nicklas Bendtner would be playing out wide you'd have to say it was an inspired pick by Arsene Wenger.

Two goals were vintage old school Arsenal, turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye with a directness that has often been lacking over recent years. Step forward our new play maker Manuel Almunia!

Two goals were from the George Graham school of thought, from dead ball situations, an area we have not exploited too much over the last few years. Then we had the scrappy goal, Eduardo turning home a rebound off the post. And don't forget Bendtner and Robin van Persie didn't score.

Three points and six goals in one game don't make a side champions. Manchester United won one nil and we both have the same number of points. The challenge for Arsene Wenger's men will not come at places like Goodison Park. It will come when the pressure is on. Against Chelsea, against United. All too often in recent seasons the players haven't looked up for it in the really big games.