Arsenal’s ‘suicidal defending’, as Arsene Wenger himself pointed out, cost the North London side an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at the hands of AS Monaco on Wednesday evening, and the Gunners will be looking to make amends for their appalling midweek performance with a convincing victory against Roberto Martinez’s Everton. The Toffess come into this game on the back of a confidence boosting victory in Europe, and should their European form translate to their domestic showing, we could be in for a cracker.
Arsenal are focused on securing a Top 4 finish in the Premier League having leapfrogged United to claim 3rd place last weekend. Injured stars Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini are back in training and may make the bench against the Toffees.
Let’s take a look at the lineup Arsene Wenger might start with on Sunday against the side from Goodison.
Goalkeeper – Wojciech Szczesny
David Ospina leaked three goals in midweek, and I guess the experiment with the Colombian is likely to be over and Wenger should bring back Wojciech Szczesny to the starting lineup.
Defence – Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs.
Hector Bellerin has been decent at right back when given the opportunity and Kieran Gibbs remains Arsenal’s best bet at left back. But a 3-1 home defeat in the Champions League might just be cause enough to throw in January signing Gabriel into the starting lineup. Per Mertesacker was woeful against Monaco, and may have to pay the price. Gabriel will likely be thrown in alongside Koscielny, while Monreal has an equal opportunity to start the game.
Midfield – Coquelin, Cazorla, Walcott, Özil, Sanchez.
Santi Cazorla has to fill in at central midfield, thanks to an injury crisis in midfield that saw England star Jack Wilshere go under the knife for a minor procedure, joining Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby among others in the treatment rooms. Aaron Ramsey might only make the bench for this one, while the pressure would be on Mesut Özil to deliver after his disappearing act in midweek. Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez will provide pace and technical ability from wider positions.
Striker – Giroud.
Olivier Giroud’s wastefulness upfront must be a concern and Danny Welbeck having not found the net in ages doesn’t help Arsene Wenger’s situation either. But Walcott and Sanchez down the flanks with pace and penetration should pose enough trouble for the visitors. Giroud as a target man can be a menace in air but the Frenchman has to be more clinical in front of goal.