Arsenal v Everton; Premier League Match Preview
Better late than never eh?
Well, Arsenal are set this afternoon to try and gain some traction in their Premier League endeavors as they travel to Goodison Park to take on David Moyes’ Everton squad.
Everton and Arsenal are looking to get up in closer on the top 4. The winner gets a firm grasp on 5th place and hopes of catching some momentum. And to be honest neither club has been red hot either Especially since, both clubs started off so well. Everton, won 5 of their first 6 but have now have only won 1 in their last 7.
Arsenal’s struggles are well known. After a start that had a lot of us cautiously hoping that things MAY be different, this Arsenal squad have reverted back to pattern but with more alarming reasons for concern.
Arsenal look to go into a place where they’ve had some success. In the last 10 matches at Goodison Park Arsenal are an astounding 8W 2D and 0L and over the course of history with these two clubs the North London side hold the better of it. But things aren’t well.
While statistics show there is defensive improvement, performance shows a different picture. Arsenal remain solid in the 2nd half of games only being outscored in one league game and in the last 15 minutes of games Arsenal are the only team in the league not to concede a goal throughout the entire season. Add to their impressive road defensive ability – allowing opposition to score on an average of 0.7 goals per game. Looking at all those combined you’d be ecstatic for any side, especially Arsenal.
Still the statistics ignore the individual mindless errors that are causing Arsenal to either fall behind early or allow opponents to get into a match. They overlook that offensively on the road Arsenal are only managing to score an average of 1 goal per game. Yes, defensively there are improvements, but offensively there are issues.
I like the fact that the scoring is more balanced as the squad now has 3 players with 4 goals in league play. Last season no one ever got a sniff of being close to Robin Van Persie’s tally. But the side shows its inability or naiveté at times when the likes of Theo Walcott isn’t available. Or if Mikel Arteta gets constant pressure not allowing him to get the ball from deep and bring it forward.
When just those two things happen – either collectively or individually, Arsenal have struggled. There are other issues and while Arsene Wenger has forgotten more about football than I will ever know, his inability or stubbornness to offer in game changes that can overcome match time difficulties, leaves us all scratching our heads. (Some bang them).
No one is escaping the blame for the problems. But they need to get it together. Bone-headed defensive errors against the likes of Fellaini and Jelavic will cost Arsenal like they have against other opponents. The defenders need to be confident and committed in their roles. It won’t hurt that the entire back 5 is back – Szczesny will inspire more confidence in his defenders and having Gibbs back will certainly strengthen the line.
The squad is returning to fitness. Theo Walcott is likely to be back after suffering from his shoulder knock. Thomas Rosicky is back in full training and should be available for match play soon. Good news for those who think Cazorla needs a breather (like me). The long-term absentees then remain only Diaby, Fabianski, and Santos. Not much missed to be sure.
Arsenal need something. And while a point away to a very good Everton side would normally be welcome, the poor run of form (odd to say that coming off of a clean sheet) means that supporters are clamoring for a win. Hope is needed and is needed from anywhere. Today hopefully is where it can start.
How the match should play out:
Everton pose a threat up front with Jelavic leading the way and Fellaini just behind him. Fellaini has absolutely flourished in this new role and has 6 goals to show for it. The right side of Arsenal’s defense is going to need to be solid as Everton will look to bring the ball forward from Pienaar and Leighton Baines. They will latch up with Fellaini who holds up play to bring the others back in. This style of play has given Everton the most chances than any team in the Premier League. However where Arsenal can exploit Everton is in the back. Michael Cox of Zonal Marking points to Olivier Giroud’s ability to find space through “clever movement out wide, in combination with purposeful midfield runs.” This should help Arsenal ply pressure on the centre backs who may from time to time drift out wide to cover for the fullbacks who have gone forward. Giroud combining with Walcott will be a deadly combination in this game if they are given the space to operate. That’s how Arsenal will look to play and with it win the game narrowly.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Theo Walcott. Simple, while Arsenal had the better of the game against Aston Villa the absence of Theo Walcott was noticeable by what he now brings to the game. He’s back and like has been all season will be influential again.
Everton. Maourane Fellaini. Looks like the big Belgian with a fro is on everybody’s wish list this January. He has been impressive all season long and his strength, aerial ability and movement make him Everton’s standout player.
Probable Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (thigh), Fabianski (back), Rosicky (hamstring), Santos (Stomach muscle)
Everton: Neville (knee) Hibbert (knee) Gibson (match fitness), Anichebe (hamstring), Mirallas (hamstring).
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Giroud 4, Podolski 4, Cazorla 4
Everton: Fellaini 6
Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Walcott 4
Everton: Fellaini 3, Pienaar 3
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 1
Everton: 0
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1.0
Everton (for): 1.8
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 0.7
Everton: (home): 1.2
Last Five:
Arsenal: DWDLW
Everton: DLWDD
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 10
Everton: 6
Match Official:
Referee: Michael Oliver. Matches: 8. R1 Y15.
Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer.TV 2:45 PM EST
UK: ????? 19.45 BST
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Everton: 1
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We scored in the first minute and that was the highlight. If we hadn’t got that I honestly think it could have been a really grim night and scoreline. Everton were tuned in – we weren’t.
Everton closed us down everywhere…and fast, all game long, to the extent we really struggled to get any fluency in our game at all. And I lost count of the times that we lost the ball, and quite often in dangerous positions.
On the English lads, no one stood out. In fact no one in the whole team stood out except perhaps Snez… nice to have him back. It was grim viewing, sure we competed in a sense, but we really struggled to get any fluency and accuracy in our play. Everton seemed to have us in their pocket, when we got possession they were all over us. In contrast, we stood off them and allowed them to play.
Theo scored his goal and had a couple of moments but he was largely invisible in the second half.
Cazorla was pretty invisible too, and even when he was on the ball he looked harried and lacking his normal accuracy. Wilshere, Carzorla and Arteta should be a good midfield trio but today… we struggled.
Ramsey gave the ball away horribly in dangerous areas on too many ocassions, he’s a trier but he isn’t convincing. A new Ray Parlour to me – not really techincally competent for this style of team.
I’ve always been a fan of Sagna, but I have to say he’s a really limited player going forward. He gets down the line but then… nothing. I know it’s asking a lot of a player to be a supreme FB defensively and offensively intelligent, yet it strikes me that our whole game is premised on exactly that. The FB’s always overlap and crowd out the flank and it forces them into the game. Sagna just passes rather lamely to the closest player.
Anyway Steve, you missed nothing. It was uninspring dross.
I think the Ramsey comparison to Ray Parlour is interesting.
At first, I really was not a fan of Parlour… because he played with such stars in the team, but he had a grit, and determination… and while he wasn’t as gifted as the rest, he was Arsenal through and through. You need a few Ray Parlour’s in the team… and I think you need a few Aaron Ramsey’s in your team…
Just can’t be regular starters, when much of the team is mediocre at best.
I didn’t get to watch the match, but commentary suggests it was a good one with plenty of spirit and a ref who kept his whistle in his pants, or something…. It sounds as if Arsenal were more or less bossed around in the MF but got a few chances, though better ones fell to Everton. I’m curious if anybody could report on the performances of our “British core” (Ramsey, Wilshere and subs Gibbs and OxCham) which we seem to be building our future around, not to mention Theo. I realize that goals are “everything,” but did he do enough the rest of the match to suggest that we offer him the 150+/week we’ll need to at Christmas time? And speaking of which, where was Lu-lu-lu-Lucas Podolski who (according to that list the team published a few weeks ago) is now our high earning player (AW still makes more….) at a little over 100k/week?
From the highlights I’ve seen I wonder too where Santi was last night and is Arteta looking tired? The goal will be blamed on Sagna but it appeared he played a normal ball to Arteta who didn’t have the acceleration to do more than pass it weakly back. Also, the penalty shout (in real time) looked pretty much stone-wall. My point: solid as he is, there are things he cannot do and should not attempt. Without better players around him, he will suffer, as will results. Frankly, I find it amazing that he’s the beating heart of the team right now….He was likewise for the club we played last night so leaving their stadium with equal points seems just about correct…..
Anyhow, hoping that with a little more recent participation from a few of the old-timers around here, and seeing that at least a few watched the match, to get some answers…..
Cheers….
not a lot changing game to game… the reality has set in, and we simply aren’t that good…
we don’t play “the beautiful game” anymore… we’re not a fun team to watch…
the game was not exactly a joy … so Wenger’s teams can’t even point to that any longer.
1-1 @ Everton.
Based on what we’ve shown of late, that’s a good point taken.
by the way, our best offensive player scored again… this should really boost his value for a
January sale… and we can CA$H in on another player…
Absolute dross pants display by Arsenal.
From Vibe last thread…
“To your point about Guardiola. I know United supporters who consider it fait accompli that he will replace SAF. My concern is that, if the Arsenal brand continues to accumulate this second tier (relatively speaking) tarnish, United will be an eminently more attractive option.”
Valid point. Although I guess it depends on what sparks Guardiola. Mourinho is another much talked about option at Old Trafford. The reality is anyone who succeeds Ferguson has little immediate upside and a potentially large downside risk. I mean ManU are perrenial winners so all anyone can do is achieve more of the same – and that’s not a given. Contrast Arsenal who have become the EPL’s biggest underachiever under the latterday-Wenger. So at The Emirates Guardiola would inherit a squad that provides him a playing base that is in keeping with his playing philosophy together with and the cash to invest in 3-4 core players to do what Wenger steadfastly refuses – i.e. give the side a chance. Guardiola is quoted as viewing Arsenal as a club with a similiar…DNA(?) to Barca.
It’s all speculation I know. But I do think Guardiola is a guy in a rare position – he has nothing to prove and that makes his motivation different to almost any other manager. He doesn’t strike me as a guy who needs to be on the managerial treadmill, after Barca he’s probably reflecting on what challenge can really spark him.
Wenger’s hard to read but I imagine even he must be sensing that his days as a club manager are drawing to a close. His sideline demeanor is excruiating and all finger-pointing aside it can’t be fun for him. If Arsenal could create a dignified path that allowed Wenger to transition to a non-playing management role at the club (like a COO??) whlist bringing in a serious manager with a kindred (stylistic) spirit… it might work. If his successor was a big name like Guardiola, with real strength, it might avert the inherrent danger in Wenger hanging around.
We were outplayed by Everton and lucky to get a draw. Fellaini was magnificent, Osman was the best MF on the pitch and we never seriously threatened after scoring the first one.
Just as well AW has been managing for 30 years… think how bad it could be ;-)
Egads!!!!!! :)
Quite right about The Special One. I would love to see him back in the Prem and at United. So much comic potential. Not the least of which would be watching United fans suddenly rooting for him.
You’re also correct it could well come down to what kind of challenge Guardiola is looking for. Yes, if he likes the idea of taking a side that has been, to be kind, underachieving for (closing in on) a decade now and bringing them back to glory, we could be the stuff. But he has to believe he has a chance here. And that’s where the doubt creeps in.
But if it were to happen, I do believe they’d have to make him some promises. So it would be a great sign on a number of levels.
Players to watch – both goalscorers. Good call. Shame that we should concede; I had really hoped that with Bould as assistant manager, our defense would be more stingy.