Match Preview: Arsenal v Everton; Returning to the Scene of the Crime

It is without a doubt a return to the scene of one of Arsenal’s most disparaging losses in recent memory. The 3-0 loss to Everton in April 2014, was the final nail in the coffin to Arsenal’s faint title hopes last season. Then, it was Roberto Martinez’s tactical thinking that masterminded a strategy that had Arsenal looking punch drunk and witless for most of the 90 minute affair.

The question is, have Arsenal learned anything?

The two primary changes Martinez employed was Lukaku out wide right and Naismith as a false 9 and Mirallas coming in from the left. With Gibbs out, you have to suspect that Martinez will try attack Monreal with Lukkau again. But he is missing key man Barkley and that could alter his decisions somewhat.

Regardless, it is going to be interesting to see what Arsenal do in this situation. Wenger isn’t known to tactically set up for any specific opponent. Like Cryuff and Pep and others who follow similar coaching philosophies Wenger espouses a focus on his own team’s style of play, thinking if they execute their system correctly, then they can overcome any opponent.

On one level it makes sense, if you operate effectively then you should see success. But there is a military saying or axiom that says every plan is great until it faces an enemy. Opposition have a nasty habit of not always playing the way you want them to play or expect. As the Persians what they thought about 300 Greeks going into battle.

The fact is Wenger can go into this match with a desire to implement our style of play but he has to be wary of the fact that if there are troubling signs, say Lukaku making consistently successful runs against Monreal, then he is going to have to adjust.

There are still some major differences. Supporting Monreal in the back four, was the recently departed Thomas Vermaelen. Vermaelen for all his strengths had one glaring weakness, a propensity for getting too far forward leaving gaps in the defensive line. Koscielny was out with an injury but is back this week and either will be paired with impressive youngster Calum Chambers or his regular partner, Per Mertesacker.  Having Koscielny back can’t be overlooked and his discipline and strength back there will certainly add some solidity to the back line that missed it in April.

Arsenal when they last faced Everton were also unable to call in on some of their more, creative talents, as Wilshere and Özil were out. Ramsey was just returning from his long injury and wasn’t likely to be effective (he wasn’t.) As it is, the biggest questions are, will the returning Germans, start or sit the bench as subs? My money is subs. It gives the boss a little extra and gives them time to get fit.

Early season tests are so hard to determine if they will matter anything in the long run. A early season North London derby was delightfully entertaining but had little impact on the final results of the season. You want these matches to truly have bearing. Either team could win, lose or draw and have ample enough time to course correct.

However, for Arsenal they will want to win this simply to show that have learned a lesson from last season and are going to be better off than they are. Everton are another team penciled in for a raid into the illustrious top four. Were they able to pull off a feat similar to last season, they’d certainly get the fair share of plaudits and prognostications saying it was theirs to take. But it means very little except in the heads of the players.

What Arsenal achieve here is building on their momentum and establishing a plateau for the rest of the early season. Sure, the first two matches have been stuttering affairs but there have been promising signs abound. Now, they just need to put it all together and move (here’s that word) forward.

Arsenal certainly have the ability in skill and talent to come out of the blue side of Merseyside with all three points. They need to put their skill to the task though and be the ones to force Martinez to have a tactical rethink – not vice versa.

Players to watch:
Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez. Aaron Ramsey. It’s a tie I know but it’s these types of matches where the ingenuity of both will be needed. They’ve had moments but have of yet to put together an extensive time period of consistency in the early season. This would be the perfect match to do so.

Everton. Romelau Lukaku. He was a handful last time, expect him to be so again.

Projected Lineups:

Arsenal (4-1-4-1) Everton (4-2-3-1)

Injuries & Suspensions:
Arsenal: Gnabry (knee), Ospina (back), Walcott (fitness) Arteta (ankle) Gibbs (hamstring)

Everton: Barkley (MCL), Oviedo (broken leg), Kone (injury),

Match Officials:
Referee: Kevin Friend
Assistant Referees: Garratt, McDonough
Fourth Official: Oliver

Broadcast Info:
UK: Sky Sports 1 17.30 BST

US: NBC  12:30 EST PM

 YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal 2-1 Everton

Match Facts (courtesy FourFourTwo)

• Everton’s victory against Arsenal in April ended a run of 13 without one against the Gunners in the Barclays Premier League.
• Arsenal are the only away team to score six goals in a Premier League game at Goodison Park (in August 2009).
• Steven Naismith has scored four and assisted two in his last nine Premier League appearances.
• Arsenal have now gone four games without a win against Everton, their worst such run in the Premier League.
• The Gunners have never gone five league games without beating the Toffees in their history.
• Arsenal have not won their opening two league games since 2009 (which included a win against Everton).
• Last season Everton opened the season with two draws; they drew their opener last week at Leicester.
• Everton have scored at least two goals in each of their last six Premier League home games.
• But two of the Toffees’ last three Premier League home games have seen them lose 3-2.
• Arsenal won more away games than any other Premier League team in 2013-14 (11), yet ended the season with a goal difference of only +2 on the road.

What do you think? Will Arsenal fare better at Goodison than they did last season? How are you feeling so far by what you’ve seen from the team?

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