Arsenal vs Everton: The Gunners and the Toffees face off in the match of the week
Arsenal vs Everton
ARSENAL: After a summer of criticism for his transfer policy, Arsene Wenger has silenced his harshest of critics by delivering results that have stunned even the most pessimistic supporters of Arsenal!
As all the pundits agree, December is the month that decides the fate of a club in the Premier League because of the hectic schedule. Injuries to key players or even fatigue can change the course of a club. For a club like Arsenal, that is competing in both UEFA Champions League and is in the title race for the EPL, fatigue and injuries can be a major blow. Till date, none of the players have shown much of fatigue or have picked up any major injuries.
Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been almost flawless at the back, the shot stopper Wojciech Szcezsny has been impenetrable, Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs have guarded the flanks well, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini have been impeccable in the defensive midfield area. This is exactly why Arsenal have conceded the least number of goals in this season (10 in 14 games) and just the lone goal, at Old Trafford, in the last 6 games.
The red hot form of the Arsenal midfield formed by Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal player of the month for five months in a row!), Mesut Ozil (most assists in the league), Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere has given Arsenal the bragging rights over that position. Maintaining possession, retrieving lost balls, setting up spectacular goals and what not! Olivier Giroud has been a proficient finisher and also an excellent hold-up player, thanks to his supreme strength!
Arsenal will go in to Sunday’s epic encounter as favourites but will have to keep in mind the form the Blues are in.
Team news: Arsenal will probably field the same team from the Cardiff game:
Szcezsny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ozil and Giroud.
Team form: W W L W W W
Player to watch out for: Aaron Ramsey
EVERTON: After the departure of their long time manager, David Moyes, the Toffees have flourished under Roberto Martinez. He has been the driving force under which Everton has made in to the top 5 after 14 league games.
Fresh from the victory at the Old Trafford, the eventful Merseyside Derby and a 4-0 thrashing which was handed to Stoke City, Toffees are in a shape that can bring fear to even the most settled and accomplished sides.
Romelu Lukaku has been one of the stars of the season so far. His spectacular performances have made him the fan favourite at the Goodison Park. Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman, Bryan Oviedo, Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines have been a formidable defence. Tim Howard, the goalie has been in good form too keeping clean sheets against Manchester United and Stoke City. Needless to mention that Gareth Barry’s experience in the midfield has been invaluable. Steven Pienaar and Ross Barkley have been a good midfield duo setting up chances for the in form Kevin Mirallas and Lukaku to convert. Barcelona youngster, Gerard Deulofeu has injected pace in to the Everton offence often coming off the bench.
The Blues will go in to Emirates with supreme confidence but will have to work hard even to earn a draw against the Arsenal juggernaut.
Team news: Everton will probably field the same eleven from the Manchester game-
Howard, Baines, Coleman, Jagielka, Disitn, Barry, Barkley, Pienaar, McCarthy, Mirallas and Lukaku
Team Form: W W D D D W
Player to watch out for: Romelu Lukaku
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Everton