ARSENAL GUNNING FOR GLORY: EVERTON PREVIEW

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Everton will be looking to build on an historic midweek win as they travel to London to play Arsenal on Sunday.

Roberto Martinez’s Everton (7-6-1) won 1-0 at Manchester United on Wednesday evening, beating their old manager David Moyes at the first time of asking after Moyes had failed to win at the Theatre of Dreams in his 11 years as Everton boss. That result vaulted Everton to fifth, just three points off second place in the table and with just one defeat all season.

However, Martinez wasn’t getting too carried away after the game, praising his players but warning they will again need to be at their best Sunday if they are to beat league leaders Arsenal (11-1-2).

“It was more than a football game for us – it was about trying to get over the mental block that we have had for many, many years,” said Martinez. “Someone told me it was 20-odd years since we won at Old Trafford. It was about being ourselves throughout the game. I couldn’t be prouder.

“I told the boys afterwards that this gives a real indication of what can be achieved. But we need to carry on improving, carry on getting better. We all know every game is difficult. After the final whistle you collect the three points and the good feelings but you know you are starting from scratch in the next game in terms of having to work hard.”

Sunday’s hosts continued their sensational run of form with a comfortable 2-0 win over Hull City on Wednesday evening, keeping them four points clear at the top of the table and 12 points above last season’s champions. Nicklas Bendtner made his first league start of the season and scored within two minutes of kick-off for the Gunners, and the much-maligned Danish striker later revealed that there is huge confidence around the squad.

“It’s been difficult for the players who have not been in the team because we have had such great form and the players who have played have been magnificent,” said Bendtner. “The way we play now, it looks like everyone who comes in takes it in their stride and goes for it. There were a couple of changes for this game and everyone did well.

“We know this is a very hard period coming up, but we are very much looking forward to it. We need everyone to focused and sharp. Let’s try and get the points on the table.”

TEAM NEWS:

ARSENAL:
Arsenal are without Bacary Sagna (hamstring), Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Abou Diaby (knee).

EVERTON:
Everton are without Leighton Baines (ankle), Arouna Kone (knee) and Darron Gibson (knee).

Everton will need to break another hoodoo if they are to return to the north-west with all three points. The Toffees haven’t won any of their last 12 league matches against Arsenal, and haven’t tasted victory at neither the Emirates nor Highbury since 1996 – losing 14 and drawing the remaining three in the red half of north London.

The league leaders have won six consecutive home league games and kept three straight clean sheets at the Emirates. Their tally of 10 goals conceded is the best defensive record in the Premier League, and the Gunners have let in just seven goals in their last 13 league matches.

This fixture was a goalless draw last season, while the points were also shared in the return game at Goodison Park thanks to goals by Theo Walcott and Marouane Fellaini.

This is yet another big game for the Gunners, it’s a game where all our players need to step up, come alive and produce a top class performance. It’s a game where the 3 points at stake is the most important ahead of clash against Manchester City and Chelsea as there’s every possibility of dropping points from those fixtures.

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CAN ARSENAL MAKE IT 5 WINS IN 5 ? : EVERTON PREVIEW

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Europe will be on the minds of both managers as Arsenal take on Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Arsenal (17-8-7) are currently third in the Premier League table with 59 points – one more than London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham. Everton (14-13-5) are in sixth place – only four points behind the Gunners – and have joined the late-season race to secure a top-four finish and entry into next season’s lucrative Champions League.

In-form Arsenal have won their last four Premier League matches and picked up 21 of a possible 24 points in recent weeks. The Gunners rallied from a goal down to score three goals in the last five minutes and beat Norwich City 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger hailed his side’s grit and determination to secure their comeback victory against the Canaries, but warned they must keep on winning to secure their place in Europe.

“We knew Norwich were strong on set-pieces and they punished us,” Wenger told reporters after the match. “After that we needed spirit and we needed as well nerves. We have shown both I think and in the end got a win we deserved.

“At the moment, the position is not important, has no real meaning, what is important for us is to keep our run going and the consistency of our wins. We have another big game on Tuesday night and have a good opportunity that we want to take.”

Everton (14-13-5) claimed their fourth win in five league matches Saturday when they beat bottom-club Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at home with goals either side of half-time from Darron Gibson and Victor Anichebe.

David Moyes’ future as Everton manager has been the subject of much media speculation in recent weeks. His current contract with the Merseyside club expires at the end of season, and the 49-year-old Scot has said recently that European qualification will play a big factor in deciding whether or not he signs a new deal with the Toffees.

Moyes was pleased with Everton’s victory against QPR but remains cautious about the Toffees’ chances of finishing in the top four.

“It’s a really important three points, I was worried about today’s game.” Moyes said in his comments to reporters after the match. “QPR have a lot to play for but they are nearly getting to a situation where there’s not much to play for.

“I think if we beat Arsenal in midweek we can talk about the Champions League but if we lose we are more talking about trying, if possible, to finish in that Europa League place.”

While Everton have been a dominant force at home this season – suffering just one defeat in 17 league matches – Moyes’ side have struggled at times away from Goodison.

The Toffees have won only four of 15 away Premier League games this term and are winless in their last four road matches.

The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in November. England forward Theo Walcott gave the Gunners the lead after just 57 seconds, before Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini equalised for the Merseysiders on the half-hour.

Arsenal have won 12 of their last 14 home matches against Everton played in all competitions.

There have been 187 previous matches between the two sides, with Arsenal winning 94 and Everton 54. The other 39 games were drawn.

The aerial battle will be vital in this game as Everton have scored and conceded the most headed goals in the League, this means both Fellaini and Giroud will be vital or handful for opposing central defenders in this match.

In the Premier League this season the Emirates Stadium has seen the most goals scored, averaging nearly 4 goals per game. Arsenal may have to play a similar game as last season in this fixture if they’ll keep a clean sheet in this game, also the Gunners will probably have to score 2 or more goals to get the three points, but a late Vermaelen goal last season did the magic.

Everton are consistent on current form haven recorded 4 wins and a draw from their last five League games. But all 4 wins are home matches. Everton are win-less on the road in last 4 away games with 2 draws and 2 defeats.

Arsenal will achieve a consecutive 5 wins in the league for the first time this season if they defeat Everton tonight. Only Manchester United has won five games in a row in the Premier League this season.
Can the Arsenal do it tonight ?

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