EPL Match Day 13: Arsenal v Everton; Match Preview
And now for something completely different . . . consistency
I have a confession to make – these types of matches worry me. As I mentioned on Wednesday, these are quite simply matches Arsenal should have no major issues with. Everton of course are an improving side but they have always been a team that Arsenal can handle – especially on visits to the blue part of the Mersey. However, I think as we have all come to learn lately, nothing is easy for this Arsenal side.
And you know what, maybe that’s okay. Maybe the true test of a team’s championship calibre is to do it (win) but do it having to work for it. Sure, it’s not great for the fans because it leads to cardiac moments (like minute 2 through 90 against Wolves) but if they win and they have to work for it, then in my opinion it builds something for this team. Something they are accused of not having – a tough underbelly.
That tough underbelly is what gets you through difficult moments. It is what carries you through the season of ups and downs and hopefully it is what can hopefully change your course when things seem down.
The loss last week against Newcastle was dispiriting. You can take a loss, but not a loss where you basically didn’t show up. Ah, but I digress I have moved on from that loss. Heck I’ve even moved from the win against Wolves. We now have the sticky situation with the Toffees.
Arsenal must continue to push and win if they are to keep pace with United and Chelsea. Both are capable of dropping points. Well, actually everyone seems capable of dropping points this season. The top 4 seems pretty set right now but its getting crowded in the race for the title. Arsenal look capable of securing their CL spot but for Gunners fans and likely for the team, that is not enough. There has to be a concerted effort to push for the title. A win at Everton and that continues. A draw, eh still but the doubt creeps in. A loss, well, I wouldn’t want to be someone who worked for a suicide prevention hot-line if we lose.
As for the team itself, players are coming back. Aaron Ramsey while not with the first team, is practicing again and is set to make his debut in the reserves this month. Kieran Gibbs is back and could be on the bench for the match. We all know Van Persie is back and will likely start the bench. All in all we are getting healthy and hopefully that means we can start to see some consistently in lineups.
I mentioned on Wednesday that I thought the added focus this season on the Carling Cup while admirable could also be working as a detriment to this team. It was always a blooding that the Carling Cup was used for so that youth players could gain some valuable experience against bigger sides. But after 5 seasons without a trophy it looks like the club are all in as first team members are being interspersed with the reserves. This is in my opinion tiring us out.
Another thing that could be contributing to some of the issues we are having is inconsistency in the lineup. With all the injuries people are in and out of the line-up with no cohesiveness really being developed. The senior teams of the past played together for a few years and the sleakness and rigidness of their play showed. They knew the tendancies and habits of the players on the pitch with them. Recently, I am not sure the squad went into each match knowing who would be on the pitch from one match to the next. Hopefully, that sorts itself out with players returning to the squad (of course those pesky international friendlies are coming up and we know how we fare during those.) It is not the only reason and there are some player issues that need to be sorted out but this is a glaring one for me and one I hope gets sorted out so we can enjoy our football again.
One thing you need to know, I expect this weekend a rather sharp message to be sent to one Niklas Bendtner. Not sure if you’ve caught but he of the fleeting pink boots is now demanding via the press that he start. He figures that he was starting last season and he is in better shape this season than he was last. I won’t be surprised if Nicky B doesn’t find himself even in the squad this week. Wenger doesn’t like whingers. And expects players to bide their time and work for their spot.
Nicky shouldn’t need to be reminded that a.) he’s only just come back and b.) there happens to be a certain Morroccan who is playing infinitely better than him. Nicky is his own biggest fan and his own worst enemy. He is a talented player but in my opinion still isn’t where he needs to be in terms of being a top knotch striker. He can’t (or doesn’t) hold the ball up to bring either the wings or midfield into the action. His shots tend to be more than often – off the mark. And his passing isn’t as crisp as it should be. But he is good in the air, when he does get his shot on target is solid and when he focuses on being direct and attacking defenders (like he did at the early part of last season) he is a menace. So Nicky my boy, calm down, watch how Chamakh brings players into the action and how direct he is – you add that to your game son and well you might actually be as good as you think you are.
Useless fact of the Day (or Reasons For Hope):
Arsenal currently sit bottom of the “fair play league. The last time they were in that position, they won the league.
Okay now that I have suitably digressed from the match let’s get to the meat of this rambling of mine
How the Match Should Play Out:
Ah the Merseyside. The Gunners love to play here. In their last 7 trips they are undefeated against either Everton and Liverpool. And who can forget last season’s opener where we drubbed the Toffee’s 6-1. Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen. David Moyes, a manager I like, has his slow starting team on fire again and they have had a good run of late. I think Arsenal need to come out with the same mentality they did against Wolves and be direct from the get go. The need to attack the center of Everton where they will softest without Fellani in the line up (some rule about only one Marouane being on any EPL pitch at any given time). Arsenal score the early goal and I like our chances. However, our defence has to be solid against the likes of Pienaar who has been making some players in this league look stupid. Figure Arsenal to be a little more pumped up for this than last week. Look for a direct attack and more creativity with Nasri on in place of Walcott. Walcott though is the super sub as he breaks a 1-1 draw in the 69th minute with a cracker racing in the from the side (if I get this right, I will be giving out lottery numbers).
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. I think he reads YAMA, I really do. The lad didn’t score but the midweek match was the most direct and threatening I had seen him play for some time. I really think in a match like this, he is the x-factor for Arsenal.
Everton: Tim Cahill. He is the Toffee’s leading scorer and the benefit of some sweet Pienaar set ups. He could cause use MF problems if Song doesn’t sit in the middle and play more defensively.
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Koscielny (suspended -1) Almunia (elbow) Vermaelen (achilles) Ramsey (ankle) Frimpong (knee) Diaby (ankle)
Everton: Fellaini (suspended – 3) Heitinga (knee – D) Anichebe (knee) Barkley (leg) Osman (ankle)
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 2
Everton: 2
Last 5:
Arsenal: WWWLW
Everton: WDWDD
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Chamakh 8 (5 league) Nasri 7 (4 league) Walcott 7 (5 league) Arshavin 5 (2 League)
Everton: Cahill 5 (5 league)
Match Officials:
Referee: Howard Webb
Assistant Referees: Andy Madley & David Richardson
Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor
Broadcast Information:
US:Foxsoccer.tv 9:00AM
UK: Sky Sports 1 1400 BST
Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Everton : 1
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