Premier League - Match #6

Arsenal 5 Abou Diaby, Adebayor 3, Fabregas
Derby County 0

After the scoring the first hat-trick at the Emirates Stadium, the name Manu Adebayor would certainly be the first every time Arsene Wenger penciled his team-sheet. He may have his doubters and missing easy chances certainly did not endear him to the Arsenal fans early on.

However, he worked hard to earn their respect and a calm and cool finish at Old Trafford last year went a long way to increase his credit among the Gunners faithfuls. Yesterday's performance certainly won him more fans. His penalty goal was sandwiched by two great finishes under pressure from the opponents.

Abou Diaby, who looked to be struggling whenever he came on at the left side of midfield, opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a rasping drive into the top corner with Derby goalkeeper, Stephen Bywater completely beaten.

Then Adebayor increased his goal tally for the season with a calm finish after the ever impressive Cesc Fabregas played him through with a wonderful flighted ball. The Togolese had the option to pass to Eduardo who had made a run into a scoring position but the lanky striker was confident enough to finish the move himself.

Last season, the opportunity most probably would have been wasted with an extra pass being played, allowing the defence to re-group.

England youngster, Theo Walcott started for the first time this season and he showed flashes of what he is capable of doing but most of the time became lost with the final ball. As pointed out by Wenger, the youngster should make his mark this season and with a few more starters he should be able to come to the expected level.

Eduardo himself played a big role in the match. His work-rate was good and it was his determination that won the penalty early in the second half. I would have loved Eduardo to take the kick himself but as always, the Arsenal policy is not to give the kick to the fouled player.

Thus Adebayor found the net for the second time with a confident penalty, struck with enough power to beat Bywater who went to the right way.

Then from a patient build-up, Eduardo laid a wonderful ball for Fabregas to blast his seventh goal of the season. It was the Spaniard last kick of the match as Denilson was already on the touch-line to come on for him.

The young Brazillian then found Adebayor with a long pass which the striker controlled with his chest. After shrugging off the attention from Derby defender, Dean Leacock Adebayor maintained his composure to slot the ball past Bywater to endear himself more to the Arsenal fans.

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