Arsenal vs Everton - Match Preview: One cannot spend while the other will not spend
With Man United going for the title in the next few games, all that remains to be seen is whether Manchester City can cling on to their second spot while Arsenal maintain their march up the table, with Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea breathing fire down their neck. While the three London clubs were always pre-season favorites for the Champions League spots, the ‘other’ team from Merseyside have risen to the challenge and have put in some stupendous performances this season to become favorites for a top four finish.
While most pundits maintain that Arsenal are the most successfully run team in England, Everton with a budget which is less than half of Arsenal’s muscle are in the reckoning this time around. The last time Everton finished in the top four, their more well known neighbors captured the European Cup in Istanbul, making it 5 English teams for Europe’s top competition the next year, which got UEFA to change the rules of qualification.
If Everton are to halt Arsenal’s advance and take full 3 points at the Emirates, the scenario at Goodison could change for good the next season. With Phil Neville assured of leaving Everton in the summer, Phil Jagielka is the man who’ll lead the Toffees out at the Emirates. The job is cut out for David Moyes’s men who have stumbled on the steps leading to glory so often over the past few seasons.
The 2009 FA Cup final against Chelsea, last month’s defeat to Wigan and the semi final against Liverpool last year, Everton have been justly branded the perennial chokers of the Premier League era. In spite of this, Goodison Park has dished out hell to all the visiting top teams this season, and Arsenal narrowly escaped with a 1-1 draw during their last visit, while the Manchester clubs have been met with an even worse fate.
Everton need to deliver and while they truly hold the potential to be at the very top of the league, things seem to go askew at the last moment and the gaffer knows he must avoid the same at the Emirates when the two teams meet.
The last time the two teams met at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal were in a similar scuffle for a Champions League spot, but had the mercurial Robin van Persie leading their cause and he did just what was needed, by scoring a wonderful volleyed goal.
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When we look at the remaining fixtures of the two teams, Arsenal have an easier set with a visit from Manchester United being the only significant hurdle, though relegation faced QPR could put up a fight towards the dead end of the season. Everton, though, face Liverpool, Sunderland and Chelsea. That is one team battling relegation and two vying for a Champions League spot.
Probable Teams
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Arteta, Ramsey; Cazorla, Wilshere, Walcott; Giroud.
Possible Formation: 4-2-3-1
Tests: Fabianski (ribs), Rosicky (hamstring).
Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar; Fellaini; Anichebe.
Possible Formation: 4-4-1-1
Arsenal have Per Mertesacker back from his one game ban and could replace Thomas Vermaelen in the centre of the defence. Nacho Monreal could start again, after he was rested for the game against Norwich. Tomas Rosicky will face a late test for inclusion after he was out with a hamstring strain. Fabianski, who has settled into the role ahead of Szczesny, could be benched after suffering from a rib injury in the win over Norwich.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could also push for a start, with the young Englishman impressing after coming off as a super sub against Norwich. Gervinho could be benched after failing to take a number of easy chances during the same game.
Everton’s only player with a knock would be Tony Hibbert.
Statistics
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Key Players
The heart of Arsenal’s midfield is Mikel Arteta, who spent a majority of his career at Everton. Arteta will be faced with a crucial task of starting the attacking proceedings against Everton, while shielding the back four from the dominating prowess of Marouane Fellaini, who is having his best season at Everton.
Also key to Arsenal’s fortunes would be Cazorla, who has a knack for taking long ranged shots and could test the otherwise resolute Everton defence from a distance. Giroud was ineffective during the first half at WBA and Norwich and being deployed as the lone forward, much would be expected of the full-backs to join the attack and support Giroud.
Leon Osman, who has been Everton’s other talisman this season, must be subdued if Everton are to be kept at bay.
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Match Posts
If Arsenal win the game, they would be four points clear off Chelsea and Tottenham, with the prospect of going five games unbeaten.
A draw for Everton would see them go level with Arsenal on 58 points, though Arsenal would still lead due to a superior goal difference.
Arsenal will want to avoid a nervous start to proceedings, especially after they were one goal down initially against Norwich City, but came back to win 3-1 on the back of two controversial goals.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Everton