Arsenal travel to Goodison park with a strong history behind the fixture, having previously lost back in 2007 when Andrew Johnson scored the winner in the 90th minute of the match and since then the Gunners have had a decent results when they have traveled to the Merseyside club. However this time the North Londoners will be looking to get over their weekend night mare suffered at Villa park. It has been the story of the Gunners this season losing points at times when they needed them the most. With two back to back victories including a clean sheet against Montpelleir and a 5-2 trashing against rivals Tottenham Arsenal managed just a point against side which is chasing relegation battle.
Everton who are generally a slow starter in the premier league have started out brilliantly this season as David Moyes’ men are chasing European qualification. The Merseyside club are 5th in the table, a point above Gunners who are tied with their rivals Spurs at 6th position with 20 points. The match will be important to both the teams as the winner could close in on Chelsea who are at 5th with 25 points. Although Everton have made a decent start, they have drawn 6 of the total 13 matches in the league and have lost points from winning positions many a times this season. One boost for David Moyes will be the return of Fellaini who was suspended for the weekend’s clash against Norwich.
With the uncertaninity of both the clubs, the match could well and truly be worth a watch. It is the perfect opportunity for Wenger to shut the recent media critics laid upon him. And for Moyes the return of Tony Hibbert and Coleman from injury will prove to be selection headache. And the manager was also on praises about his former midfielder Mikel Arteta.
Match Facts:
Arsenal have won eight and lost none of their last 10 Premier League meetings against Everton.
Arsenal have scored 81 goals in Premier League history against Everton; only Man Utd (82 v Everton) has seen one team score more against a single opponent in the competition.
Arsenal have inflicted Everton’s two biggest defeats in the Premier League – 6-1 in August 2009 at Goodison Park and 7-0 at Highbury in May 2005.
In the last 21 games against Arsenal (in all comps), Everton have only managed more than one goal in a game on one occasion.
Michael Oliver will officiate Everton v Arsenal. He has only ever done four Arsenal games and they have won one and lost three.
Everton are unbeaten in five games with Oliver as the referee (W3 D2 L0), with red cards for opposition players in the last two Toffees’ games he has handled.
Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has scored in both games he has played at Goodison Park. He scored on his Premier League debut in the 6-1 win in August 2009 and also netted the only goal in a 1-0 win in the two sides’ last meeting in March 2012.
No player in Eurpoe’s big five leagues has created more chances than Leighton Baines (50).
In the Premier League, Santi Cazorla is second to Baines in terms of chances created (39).
Everton have taken the most shots (excl. blocked) in the Premier League this season, 183.
Injury Updates:
Wenger gave the latest injury updates ahead of the game
on the latest situation…
From [the] Aston Villa [game], everybody got through the game well. The player who will come back is Walcott, who is fit again. [Wilshere and Vermaelen] are alright.
on Tomas Rosicky…
Rosicky is back in the [training] squad, not quite match fit but in full training. He needs a game or two in the reserve [under-21] team. He has not played for six months but he is fit.
Team News:
Arsenal certainly missed their contract rebel Walcott for the past two games and his replacement Chamberlian did not do justice for the chance he was given. With Wilshere and Vermaelen set to start the game, the Gunners can hope for something better than the Saturday’s game. Wenger started Koscielny and Mertesacker last week dropping his captain to the bench, however it will be interesting to see who sits out this time. And with Mertesaker’s current form one would imagine Koscielny to give way.
And as far as the midfield and forward line-up Wilshere and Walcott should take Ramsey and Chamberlain’s positions and Gervinho will continued to be benched.
Everton vs Arsenal probables
Prediction: 2-2
Arsenal’s away form has been awful this season with only two wins out of the seven times they have traveled out of the Emirates. So it will be difficult for the Gunners to take all the three points home.
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