EPL: The next big thing

ARSENAL 1 (Mesut Oezil 80)

EVERTON 1 (Gerard Deulofeu 84)

Wigan were a series of promising sketches. Everton are painting pretty pictures. Roberto Martinez is now moving towards his masterpiece.

If his meteoric progress continues, the Spanish coach could require a bigger canvas.

Everton may struggle to keep their rebel with a creative cause; a manager who mischievously refuses to compromise.

His refreshing lack of psychological baggage leaves him free to liberate fortresses such as Old Trafford, defeat Chelsea and pinch points from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Unburdened by outdated perceptions about "bigger" clubs, he picks sides without prejudice.

He takes Everton to Old Trafford and the Emirates and demands victory. The keys to David Moyes' old parked buses have been thrown away.

Conservative gatekeepers have been replaced by confident barnstormers like Ross Barkley, Bryan Oviedo and Romelu Lukaku.

Like a malignant tumour, Everton's inferiority complex has been surgically removed with their manager's scalpel.

Men have long insisted that size doesn't matter. Martinez shares the optimistic philosophy.

A club's size is irrelevant. He's in the business of winning and winning well. All other concerns are secondary.

Do pay attention, Mr Moyes.

Sceptics who insisted that Martinez could only hit the ceiling imposed by his pragmatic predecessor and Everton's over-achieving automatons didn't read the Spaniard's resume.

He took a similarly high road to Wigan. His principles were sacrosanct. They earned an FA Cup triumph and Premier League relegation in the same season, but the philosophy was fixed.

His boomerang-like fullbacks at Everton have troubled Arsenal and Man United in recent weeks, but the process was pioneered in Wigan.

Martinez managed minnows, but still preferred a bustling 3-4-3 formation over parked buses.

Like Everton, the Latics were susceptible to the counter-attack, but their attacks were scintillating; the football occasionally captivating.

For the Spaniard, age has always had more relevance on a passport application than a football pitch.

As Moyes perseveres with a regressing Ryan Giggs, Martinez removes the safety catch on Barkley.

Monday morning (Singapore time), the 20-year-old bulldozed through Arsenal's midfield in a muscular, magical manner reminiscent of a young Paul Gascoigne.

This is nothing new. A relegation-threatened Wigan went to Arsenal in April 2012 and rubbished the Alan Hansen fallacy about winning nothing with kids - by beating the Gunners 2-1 with kids.

The 40-year-old Martinez outsmarted Arsene Wenger that night with players mostly between 21 and 23.

Unlike Moyes, the kids are all right with Martinez, as long as they are ably supported.

Often overlooked were the pivotal roles experienced campaigners Shaun Maloney and Gary Caldwell played at Wigan. They kept an eye on the young ones.

Sylvain Distin and Gareth Barry do the hand-holding now at Everton, but they are first among equals.

They don't play Mary Poppins. Martinez favours artistic freedom over a nanny state. Barkley is granted a licence to roam, not a curfew.

YOUTH POLICY

Martinez's subtle blend of youthful anarchy and experienced artistry, mixed together with ingredients cleverly purchased in the transfer market, is proving a heady brew for Everton fans.

They are not yet drunk on success, but the optimism is contagious.

An understated sculptor, the Spaniard is removing Everton's chip on the shoulder and creating a body of work that could be exhibited across Europe's finest football galleries next season.

Chairman Bill Kenwright might want to agree and invest accordingly.

With only one Premier League defeat despite facing Arsenal, United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle, Martinez is building a strong case for European admission next season.

The ambitious manager deserves to be there. Whether he makes the Champions League with the Toffees could depend on their ambition matching his own. Other clubs will surely come calling.

Martinez is a manager in a hurry. Everton would do well to keep up.

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