After Wednesday night’s disastrous defeat to Monaco, dissatisfaction and revolt again fills the air in N5. What is clear is that the Gunners must get back on tract quickly and a victory against Everton feels compulsory, by any means necessary.
Arsene Wenger’s team selection will again be interesting. There isn’t one player from Wednesday evening that could complain were they to be dropped and a certain measure of rotation will be required in any case.
The question is whether Wenger gives some of Wednesday’s fallen stars an instant chance for redemption, or whether he makes some changes. The likes of Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and even Gabriel and Wojciech Szczesny might just have been holding doors open for Arsene Wenger at London Colney this week.
Everton had a distinctly better time in Europe this week, the only English side that managed to triumph with an emphatic victory over Young Boys. That boon may help to restore a campaign that has ailed thus far. But Arsenal might just feel that their legs will be fresher, even if their minds way a little heavier on Sunday.
Vital Quotes:
Arsene Wenger is expecting a competitive match with Everton, despite what has been an underwhelming season for the Toffees, telling arsenal.com, ‘”There`s no obvious reason [why Everton have struggled in the Premier League],” Wenger said. “They have a similar personnel and they were in a strong position last season until four or five games before the end.
“They are a team who has quality, who play good football and are a threat to everybody. They lost 1-0 at Chelsea but they could as well have won the game.”
“We are on a good run and on the night everything went against us, (against Monaco)” he said. “Were we responsible for it? Certainly for a part of it but I believe overall the good run has to be dominant and we have come back in a great position in the league and we want to stabilise that position.
“We know that our home form in the league will be very important to decide that. Let`s take this opportunity to make our position even stronger.”
Everton boss Roberto Martinez lauded Arsenal’s consistency in qualifying for the Champions League, ‘They are an incredible example and that goes down to Arsene Wenger,” Martinez said.
“He`s been there for such a long time, he is a such a calming influence and he is someone who knows how to prepare the team for the next game and even when there is a difficult moment during the season, he finds the way to give direction.
“It is an incredible stat to see Arsenal qualifying for Europe season after season and Arsenal can be a real example in that respect for many teams.
“It is not easy to qualify the team season after season but it does go down to one person and his experience and know-how in the game.
‘Arsenal had three open opportunities (versus Monaco) that if they had taken them then it would`ve taken the game into a completely different situation.
“We are preparing in the know that we are facing a team fully focused, with enormous talent and we need to play with a huge degree of concentration because if you get left one v one with players with that quality then they can hurt you.
“But our performance last season at the Emirates was a perfect example of how you have to play Arsenal away from home and that`s our measurement.
“At home, we have overcome that lack of understanding of how to score goals against Arsenal and how to make it a real open game.
“It is a combination of all those aspects plus being physically ready because you are going to be hugely tested playing against Arsenal.”
Arsenal Team News:
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere will be out for another fortnight or so after having surgical screws removed from his ankle. The game comes slightly too soon for Aaron Ramsey (hamstring).
Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Mikel Arteta (ankle) and Abou Diaby are still not ready.
Arsenal (from); Szczesny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Koscielny, Rosicky, Özil, Giroud, Ospina, Walcott, Chamberlain, Alexis, Monreal, S.Cazorla, Flamini, Chambers, Welbeck, Coquelin, Akpom, Bellerin.
Player to watch: Danny Welbeck
Welbeck contributes much to the team, which is why he is often selected ahead of Theo Walcott for instance. But with Alex Oxlade Chamberlain back, there is yet more competition for the right sided berth and it could be argued that The Ox offers greater penetration.
There is a good chance that Olivier Giroud will be spared after his Wednesday horror show, so Welbeck may get his chance through the middle. He certainly needs to score more goals than he does and now would be a good time to start, for him and for Arsenal.
Everton Team News:
Roberto Matrinez expects Romelu Lukaku to be fit, despite coming off early in Thursday’s victory over Young Boys with a tight hamstring.
John Stones and Aaron Lennon come back into the squad having been suspended and cup tied respectively for Thursday’s tie in Switzerland.
Steven Pienaar, Aiden McGeady (both knee), Christian Atsu (illness), Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) and Tony Hibbert (knee) are still absent.
Everton (from); Robles, Baines, Gibson, Jagielka, Kone, Lukaku, Mirallas, Naismith, Distin, McCarthy, Be?ić, Barry, Barkley, Osman, Coleman, Howard, Lennon, Stones, Alcaraz.
Player to watch: Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku has played a lot of football for a 21 year old and it has showed at times this season. Whilst his frame and physicality make him a handful for defenders, his finishing has not always been ruthless this season.
Lukaku gave Chambers and Mertesacker a very hard time at Goodison Park in August with his pace and power. If his finishing is on point at the Emirates, he can definitely hurt the Gunners.
Match Facts & Stats
Everton have not won any of their last 18 league visits to Arsenal (D4, L14). Their last victory away at Arsenal came in January 1996, via an Andrei Kanchelskis winner.
The Gunners have won their last six league games at the Emirates Stadium. Their only home league defeat since the opening day of last season came against Manchester United in November.
Everton have won just one of their last 10 league games.
Steven Naismith has scored in his last two league appearances against Arsenal.
All stats courtesy of opta.
Ref Watch:
The referee will be Andre Marriner.
Match Prediction:
I think Arsenal will scramble over the line with a 1-0 winner via Danny Welbeck.
Next Fixtures:
Arsenal are away at Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night at 7.45pm. Everton are away at Stoke City at the same time.