LONDON -- The roar of relief that greeted the final whistle in Arsenal's ramshackle 3-2 victory over Everton told its own story. In front of the dug-outs, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta turned to embrace his coaching staff. On the pitch, his players shared tired, happy hugs with each other, their smiles reflecting both satisfaction after a hard afternoon's work and awareness of the good fortune that had enabled them to emerge with all three points. Those who watch Arsenal closely discerned Arteta's positive impact on the team's performances right from the first match of his fledgling tenure, but having successfully turned his side into a more obdurate force -- witness the four successive...
Full Story »