Howdy Gooners,
Arsenal finally overcame the demons of rather
a sloppy November over the years to register 3 wins and losing just once during the
course of the month. The highlight of it would be fact that they conceded Just
1 goal from all those fixtures which came against the loss to United. This
tremendous form has started to continue into December with Arsenal registering
a “rather easy” 2 – Nil victory against Hull City (or Tigers?) to maintain the
4 point lead at the top. The team now enters a crucial phase, both in terms of
the title race and a place in the final 16 of the Champions League up for
grabs.
This weekend they face the in-form Everton
team at the Emirates who are currently enjoying their best start to the
campaign, sitting 5th in the table, having lost only once so far.
Roberto Martinez, who took over the team from David Moyes over the summer, has already started to weave his magic, with his best result being the One Nil victory at Old Trafford during the mid-week. It was indeed an victory to cherish for the Toffee’s faithful as the last victory at Old Trafford came way back in 1992 and also that Martinez was able to achieve that feat in his first attempt, which his predecessor failed to do during his 11 year stay there.
Roberto Martinez, who took over the team from David Moyes over the summer, has already started to weave his magic, with his best result being the One Nil victory at Old Trafford during the mid-week. It was indeed an victory to cherish for the Toffee’s faithful as the last victory at Old Trafford came way back in 1992 and also that Martinez was able to achieve that feat in his first attempt, which his predecessor failed to do during his 11 year stay there.
It was a goalless draw when these two teams
met here at this venue back in Apr 2013. A brief preview into what happened
back then
Lineup Then:
Arsenal
Starting XI : Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker,
Koscielny, Gibbs*3, Arteta, Wilshere*1, Walcott*2,
Ramsey, Cazorla, Giroud
Subs : Mannone, Vermaelen, Monreal*3,
Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain*1, Podolski*2, Gervinho
Everton
Starting XI : Howard, Baines, Jagielka,
Distin, Coleman, Gibson, Barkley*1, Pienaar, Fellaini, Mirallas*3,
Anichebe*2
Subs : Mucha,
Heitinga, Neville, Oviedo*3, Hitzlsperger, Jelavic*1, Naismith*2
*subbed players along with their order
Blast from the Past:
This fixture last season was of huge
significance to both these teams due to the lure of Champions League football
hanging in front of them. Arsenal were coming from an impressive form having
won their last four games. Everton too were in similar fortunes having been
unbeaten in their last five games with only four points separating them from
the Gunners. It was rather a physical encounter with both teams conceding a lot
of fouls. Arsenal and Giroud in particular were wasteful in front of goal,
missing numerous chances and in the end the draw seemed a fair result.
The talking point of the game was the incident
involving Darren Gibson and Theo Walcott in which the former escaped from
seeing Red. The match also saw Moyes starting with Ross Barkley instead of the
injured Coleman which the 19 year old grabbing it with his matured display.
Highlights from the game are available below:
Current Mood:
It is interesting to note that both clubs have
almost the same team barring 1-2 notable additions from last season and yet
shown so much difference in quality on pitch. Arsene Wenger’s team enjoyed a
very convincing victory over Hull with goals coming from St. Nicklas (with a
short gap of just 1005 days before his last goal for Arsenal) and Mesut Özil
respectively, despite resting several of his first team regulars. The combination
of Özil - Rambo was too hot for any of Hull’s players to handle even after
their exploits against Liverpool just 3 days ago.
This has been Arsenal’s second best point tally on 34
points after 14 games (They had 36 points during 07-08 ) equalling the one during the Invincible’ s season.
Everton meanwhile have set their sights firmly
on securing at least a Top 4 spot with their scintillating displays on field. They went with a clear plan to Old Trafford and
executed it perfectly. At the end it was a much deserved victory for the brilliant
Martinez and his men punching a huge blow to their opponents’ title defense.
As compared to their last fixture against the
gunners, Everton can boast of a highly impressive midfield in the form of
Barry, Barkley Osman, McCarthy along with a galore of attacking talent with the
likes of Lukaku, Deulofeu, Mirallas to name a few.
Anything but victory would be an
underachievement for both these teams and it remains to be seen how both their
Managers plan and exploit their opponent’s tactics.
Injury List:
Arsenal
Oxlade (Knee), Diaby (Knee), Sagna (Hamstring)
Podolski is expected to return to regular
training next week and could play a crucial role in the congested fixture list.
Everton
Baines (Knee), Gibson (Knee), Kone (Knee)
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal
Wenger can welcome back the likes of Gibbs, Wilshere, Giroud and Arteta in the starting XI after wrapping them up in cotton
wool for the Hull Game. Jenko should also retain his berth as Sagna has failed to recover from his injury which kept him out of the Hull game.
Elsewhere, there’s a possibility that Wenger
might opt to rest Ramsey or Özil if not both and deploy Arteta and Flamini as a
double pivot.
Everton
I have a feeling that Martinez will try and
stick with the same team (well almost) for the weekend’s clash. I don’t see any changes in the starting
line-up.
Talisman:
Arsenal
I am expecting Cazorla to dictate terms in the
midfield and create gaps in their defense.
Everton
All eyes will be on
Lukaku, who has been their most lethal goal scorer after joining on loan from
Chelsea.
Factos:
· Arsenal have won eight and lost none of their
last 12 Barclays Premier League games against Everton.
· Everton have only managed more than one goal
in a league game against Arsenal on one occasion in the last 21 meetings.
· The Gunners have won 14 and lost none of the
last 17 Premier League home games against the Toffees (D3).
· There have been just four goals scored in the
last four Premier League meetings between Everton and Arsenal.
· Howard Webb will officiate Arsenal v Everton on Sunday. The Gunners have won their last eight
Premier League games with him as the man in the middle.
· Arsenal are unbeaten at home in the Premier
League with Howard Webb as referee (W10 D4 L0).
· Arsenal have scored in 13 of their 14 games
and have led in 12 of their 14 games this season, both Premier League highs.
· Mesut Ozil has three goals and six assists in
11 Premier League appearances.
· The Gunners have kept six clean sheets in
their last seven games in all competitions, conceding just one goal in the
other match (0-1 at Man Utd).
· Everton have lost only Premier League game
this season, fewer than any other side.
· The Toffees have kept three away clean sheets in a row for the first time since
May 2009; they have not recorded four or more in a row since August 1995 (had a
run of five).
Score line Prediction:
Arguably, the most anticipated game of this weekend
Going for a 2-1 win for the gunners with
Giroud and Cazorla to score for Arsenal and the in-form Lukaku to score for
Everton.
Expecting a cracker of a game with both teams
set to show their attacking ability.
Melt the Toffee’s J
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