Arsenal welcome (I use the term loosely) the blue half of Merseyside to The Grove on Saturday in search of their sixth consecutive win in the premiership. Arsenal haven`t been in such a fine vein of form since March 2004, which happens to be the season in which the ‘invincibles’ made their name. Coincidence that as I make comparisons between the teams we hit our best for 2 and a half years? You decide.
Everton may be doing well in the league this season but they have managed only one win in their last five away games. If you believe in omens then you’ll be pleased to hear that the aggregate score from the last 2 home games against Everton is an amazing 9-0 (yes NINE nil!) in our favour. Make no mistake though, Everton have been beaten only once this season, that was by Boro’ two weeks ago. Arsenal have scored 12 and conceded just one in their last four league games.
Arsenal still have injury problems (when was the last time we didn`t?). Julio ‘the beast’ Baptista, Abou ‘Vieira’ Diaby, Biscan ‘Ralph’ Lauren, Emmanuel ‘catch me I you can’ Eboue, Manu ‘Kanu2’ Adebayor are all still out. The good news is that Gael Clichy, Philippe Senderos and Mathieu Flamini all return to the first team squad.
Everton are not without their own injury worries. Phil Neville, Joseph Yobo and Nuno Valente. Andy Van Der Meyde and Simon Davis are both out while Tim Howard has recovered from an illness and could start.
Arsenal could once again line up with the 4-5-1/4-3-3 that saw us beat Reading 4-0 last weekend. Gael Clichy should now be fit enough to start at leftback with Djourou dropping to the bench and Gallas moving across to partner Kolo Toure in the centre of defence.
Cesc Fabregas will be looking to add to his two assists last weekend while Tomas Rosicky will be hoping to make up for his missed chance against Reading. Jeremie Aliadiere could get an opportunity to make his mark in the Premiership for the first time this season after his two goals against West Brom in the Carling Cup.
As with last time, get yourself over to the forum if you want to see predictions. You could even join the competition to be in with a chance of winning great prizes!
Match preview by Simmy8_2000
Arsene Says……
‘Certainly Everton are the toughest side to come to Emirates Stadium. I could feel in our training sessions that our players are conscious we are playing against a good side.’
Arsenal Team News:
Pretty much covered by Simmo in the preview
Player to watch: Thierry Henry
Henry is back to his best; expect goals!
Everton Team News:
They shouldn’t be too hard to beat, I mean a team full of blokes made from sweets? How hard can that be.
Player to watch: Tim Cahill
Decent player for an Aussie.