Why Man Utd fear the new Arsenal - Everton

As the dust settles on another week of premier league games, and before the Champions League raises its own dust storm, there is a familiar look to the league table.

Familiar, because Everton are still in fourth, and deservedly so.

Arsenal and Liverpool have begun the inexorable slide towards life as mid-table clubs and worse, showcases for the likes of Raheem Sterling and Santi Cazorla, if not the Theo Walcotts of the English game.

Liverpool have been out of it for sometime, but this season, it is Arsenal who seem destined to not learn from their past mistakes.

That is if you look at the trophy cabinet and not the balance sheet.

This is why it is worth looking at Everton and what turned the tide for David Moyes and this new Merseyside powerhouse.

The answer is Manchester United. In the last three games Everton played United, twice at home and once away, the Toffees came back from the dead to either claim a draw, or a win, and most importantly to deny United the league title.

It is also a measure of an increasing problem with Sir Alex Ferguson’s new Achilles’ Heel – closing out games.

Let’s go back to 2010, United away at Evertin leading 3-1. Three minutes of added time at Goodison.

Fellaini passes to Baines out wide and the England left-back swings in a perfect cross to Cahill, who thumps a header home. 3-2.

Baines puts another cross in and Fellaini and Cahill win the header. It falls to Arteta and he puts his foot through it. 3-3, full-time.

That was the beginning of Fellaini and the making of Everton as the new, genuine top four contender.

Since then United have thrown away a two goal lead at home and opened this season losing to Everton.

Since then Fellaini, apart from Robin Van Persie, is the Premier League’s most dangerous player.

His recent brace against Fulham underlining why he gives to Everton what Arsenal do not have in Olivier Giroud – a powerhouse who can hold the ball, pass, tackle and score goals.

David Moyes is the new Arsene Wenger in terms of finding new talent at bargain prices and then turning them in to genuine top four contenders.

Everton has to only be careful they do not fall into the Arsenal balance sheet trap.

Mikel Arteta is surely wondering why he left Everton.

In allowing Everton to dominate them over the recent pass United have given rise to a new beast.

The challenges of Arsenal and Liverpool have faded.

There’s a new beast in town. United, beware.

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