Friday, December 9, 2011

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10.12. (Sat) 16:00 Arsenal FC - Everton

EPL: Arsene Wenger,Arsenal v Stoke City
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 PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL
 


Szczesny
Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen
Arteta, Song, Ramsey
Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho
EVERTON
Howard
Hibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Baines
Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman
Cahill
Saha
Arsenal look set to continue with the shape that has served them well in recent weeks, with their only concerns coming from the fact that fit full-backs at the Emirates are few and far between. With Andre Santos injured midweek in Greece and Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson already crocked, Arsene Wenger will likely draft in Johan Djourou and move Thomas Vermaelen over to the left flank.

David Moyes is sweating over the fitness of three front men for the visit to London. Whereas Victor Anichebe is still a week or so away from fitness, both Louis Saha and Royston Drenthe will face late fitness tests after recently picking up minor niggles. Otherwise, the only decisions the Toffees boss should have to make are whether to recall Phil Neville to his starting XI or replace Diniyar Bilyaletdinov with Jack Rodwell.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Arsenal did the Premier League double over Everton last season, winning 2-1 on both occasions.
  • Robin van Persie (pictured right) has lashed in 18 goals and provided five assists in 20 appearances this term.
  • Everton have scored just 15 goals so far this season, exactly half of Arsenal’s tally.
  • Arsenal have lost just once to Everton in their last 10 meetings, back in 2007.
  • Everton don’t do well at all in north London, chalking up just one win in 19 visits, with the last one coming over 15 years ago.
  • Against Everton, Arsenal have the finest goalscoring record of any team versus any opposition in Premier league history, clocking up 79 goals.
  • In their last 11 outings against the Gunners, Everton have scored 11 goals.
  • Arsenal’s tally of 19 points from their last seven Premier League matches is equal to the tally they took from their previous 18 games.
Prediction
The Emirates will be buzzing with confidence, particularly after both Manchester clubs’ midweek exits from the Champions league. Arsenal are riding the crest of the wave and there’s nothing in Everton’s patchy form that suggests they will be able to stop a team currently brimming with confidence. Expect the Gunners to claim this one pretty comfortably.
Editor's Prediction
Arsenal 2-0 Everton