Wenger: Tim is very intelligent

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger feels that Tim Cahill is no longer a 'makeshift striker' after his recent displays for Everton.

The Australian scored his 100th career goal, installed himself as Everton's top scorer this term in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal and won the praise of Emirates boss Wenger.

And Wenger also maintains that Everton are as big a threat to them in the battle for fourth spot as Aston Villa.

Wenger was full of praise for Everton. More than once he has left Goodison Park in the past moaning about his side being mugged and roughed up. Not this time.

Everton matched Arsenal's respected footballing qualities and deserved to win. A goal in the third minute of injury-time from Robin van Persie rescued the Gunners.

Since midfielder Cahill was switched up front in December at Manchester City when Everton had no fit strikers, he has been a revelation. Four goals in that nine-match spell underline that.

Cahill is now a fully paid up member of the strikers' union and is likely to stay there for the rest of the season with boss David Moyes failing in two attempts at loan signings - one being Alan Smith from Newcastle.

And Wenger said: "I have seen something that has underlined what I have always felt. Everton are as big a threat to us as Aston Villa.

"Everton are a very good side, and they are our rivals for a top four place just as much as Villa.

"They play with a fantastic spirit, and in Tim Cahill they have a player who is very intelligent, he always knows where to be.

"That is something that is hard to teach, but he always seems to be in the right place."

Moyes admits the chances of signing a loan striker are slim, explaining: "Unless something comes out of the blue, we won't be signing anyone.

"We have made enquires for two loan signings, and neither of them are going to happen.

"Both deals are dead and we expect to continue the season now with the squad we have got."

That means Cahill at the sharp end, with the 29-year-old even scaring his own mates.

Full-back Leighton Baines, who produced the cross for another Cahill headed goal said: "He is a menace, he's difficult to play against you and he's a rash all over you.

"Tim's a real nightmare. I have watched him of late and I would not want to be playing against him. He pops up with important goals and is a genius in the box.

"He's always in the right position and doesn't give defenders a minute's peace. He's as physical with defenders as they are with him, you just want him to go away."

Moyes said: "Tim is scoring like a striker, taking the knocks and working for the team.

"His goal was excellent. It was a great header, a fine cross and he is doing really well for us.

"He has overcome his injuries, and is getting to a very high level. Goalscoring is crucial, and he can do that from midfield and up front. That is what makes him a special talent.

"Tim was marvellous. He came off at the end with an injury, but it does not look too bad. A kick on the foot and he should be okay.

"But it's not just him. Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka were out of this world at the back. The standards they have set are so high, and it has to be.

"The standard of players we are facing just now it is tough. They did well twice against Fernando Torres, and this time faced two very good front men in Van Persie and (Emmanuel) Adebayor.

"One lapse at the end cost us. Now we have Manchester United next and then Liverpool again, so it won't get any easier for them."

The Scot added: "To be disappointed with only a draw against a team like Arsenal shows where we have come from and where we are at the moment.

"We are doing so well - but those two points dropped have hurt us. Had we won we would have been really close to Arsenal and nearer to Aston Villa.

"But we have dropped points to late goals now at Goodison Park to both those sides in recent weeks, and it has cost us.

Wenger added: "It was very important not to lose.

"We needed to keep Everton at a distance from us, and three points would have put them very close to us."