Arsenal vs Everton

Arsenal V Everton

Saturday, 9^th January – 15:00 GMT

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: WDWWW

Arsenal, against their will, were given the week off after their midweek fixture with Stoke City was postponed despite the best efforts of the Arsenal groundsman and volunteers as the bitter cold weather took yet another football victim. Arsenal’s next encounter will now be this fixture with Everton. A team they thumped 6-1 on the opening day of the season, but will they come to close to emulating that success without some key influential figureheads in their match day squad?

We all know about Van Persie’s lengthy lay-off with injury but Arsene Wenger might also be without two of his most creative outlets in Cesc Fabregas & Theo Walcott, while Thomas Rosicky is hit and miss. With Arsenal playing catch up with those at the very top, these injuries could play havoc with their chances of ending the season as champions as dropped points right at the start of the new year could send the Gunners on a downward spiral.

The Emirates, though, should be a welcome retreat for Arsene Wenger and his youthful, yet technically gifted, squad as they’ve suffered just the solitary defeat their all season. Only the powerful Chelsea have beaten Arsenal at home this season, whilst their other remaining eight fixtures have all gone in their favour, with Arsenal winning eight out of nine at home thus far. What’s more, Arsenal have struck up not only a three match winning streak at home but also one which consists of three successive clean sheets. Stoke City, Aston Villa & Hull City have all failed to locate the Arsenal goal since the Gunners last home defeat but Everton could provide them with a much sterner test on Saturday.

Arsenal left it late to book their place in the next round of the FA Cup when Arsene Wenger left it to the kids to do the hard work, in which they did struggle for the best part of 75 minutes before Aaron Ramsey & Eduardo struck to hand Arsenal victory. Arsenal were, though, well below their usual, free-flowing best, with their midfield looking very lacklustre and weak in parts. Against the Hammers, Arsenal’s midfield, which did consists of a handful of youth products, did look lightweight and was unable to repel the oncoming West Ham attacks. This was, and will be, a big concern for Wenger but were lucky that West Ham were extremely poor in the final third, but, however, Everton might not be as generous at The Emirates as the Toffee’s seek out revenge for their opening day humbling by the Gunners.

Everton

League Position: 12th

Recent Form: DDDDW

David Moyes will have had nightmares over the reverse meeting between the two sides. No one, especially the manager and players alike, will forget the 6-1 mauling they endured at home to Arsenal on the opening day of the season as that huge defeat was not only their worst for many a season but also one that has sent Everton to their demise this season, with David Moyes’ Everton floundering in 12^th position, just four points off the relegation zone. However, this fixture provides them with the opportunity to make amends for their shambolic display in the reverse fixture by putting in a big shift at The Emirates.

Everton scraped through their FA Cup tie, one of the easiest looking ones on paper, at home to Carlisle by the skin of their teeth, winning 3-1 via two late strikes from Tim Cahill, a player who has massively underperformed this season, and a 90^th minute penalty from Baines. The result was crucial, though, as Everton will have high hopes of reaching their second successive FA Cup final but their performances on the pitch of late have still been well below par.

Injuries haven’t helped David Moyes and Everton’s cause and he won’t welcome too many players back this weekend, but a few familiar faces should return within the forthcoming week or two, which is a big boost for Everton’s depleted ranks. Everton have had to contend with the plague for the past season or so, with arguably their greatest talent; Mikel Arteta still out with a knee injury and won’t be back for some time to come. That’s an area where Everton are severely lacking in numbers and quality at the present time; midfield, as there is a distinct lack of creativity in the centre of the park, no player with any guile or natural playmaker abilities.

However, Landon Donovan has joined up with the Toffees’ on a two month loan deal and he could be just what the doctor ordered. He’s a wiley pro, with vast experience at both international and club level, and the USA star has played on just about every big footballing stage known to man. He is a striker at heart, but scoring goals isn’t just what he’s about. He can also create plenty of chances, he has a fantastic engine, and can also taken on his marker. We really think Donovan will be a fantastic addition to Moyes’ squad but whether he will make an instant impact at The Emirates is another question open to debate.

Everton’s away record this season stands at 2-2-5, which simply isn’t good enough for a club like Everton. They are, though, unbeaten in their last two, drawing at both Chelsea (3-3) and Sunderland (1-1). Their display at Chelsea was sensational, and a similar one this weekend would actually make them hard to beat, but they weren’t all that impressive at Sunderland, and a similar display like that would see them struggle. Everton are far too inconsistent for our liking and preference would have to be for the hosts, although Everton do have a big performance in their locker.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Arsenal W: 6 Everton W: 2 Draws: 2

• Arsenal claimed all the glory in the last meeting in a 6-1 mauling of Everton at Goodison Park.

• The Gunners have won the last two contests at The Emirates, winning 3-1 at home last season.

• Van Persie & Walcott were two of the goalscorers last season for Arsenal but both will be missing for this encounter.

• Everton’s pair of victories have both been to NIL, but both have come at Goodison.

• Everton’s best result on Arsenal soil came two seasons ago in a 1-1 draw.

• Everton’s worst results came at Highbury, back in 2005, when they lost 7-0.

Match Verdict: Draw – 4.50 SkyBet

Many will go for the home win here but Everton have shown signs of improving and will be better for their nitty-gritty victory against Carlisle last Saturday. That hard fought win will have brought the group of players closer together and we think a big performance is to come from David Moyes’s Everton on Saturday. After all, who can forget their display at Chelsea nearly a month ago today when they no only frustrated the league leaders but also managed to stick three past them in a 3-3 draw. Everton are certainly capable of a big display, they are unbeaten in their last three road trips and haven’t failed to score in three away encounter, either, and we don’t expect this trend to end. A draw at very decent odds is the bet for us.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 1.40 Bet365

Draw – 4.50 SkyBet

Everton – 9.00 totesport

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Louis Saha Anytime Goalscorer – 4.30 WilliamHill