Match Preview: Arsenal v Everton; Match Day 14

Let’s all just forget about that midweek sojourn to Greece shall we? With the exception of the fact that Wenger started Santos and Vermaelen resulting in the former’s injury, it has not other bearing on this match. For the most part 9 of the players taking the pitch on Saturday will be fresh and rested as Everton pay a visit to the Emirates.

Ever since the debacle that was the drubbing at the hands of Manchester United, Arsenal have slowly gone about their business to turn things around. New players have been integrated into the squad and have been instrumental in a run that has seen Arsenal take 19 points from 21. They are on a 6 game unbeaten streak and Robin Van Persie is out to show everyone just how good he is when he can stay healthy. All in all it has been a recipe for success. A recipe that should be said took the club from 17th all the way knocking on the door of the top 4.

And for this match a position in the top 4 could be at stake. On Monday Chelsea play Manchester City. Should Chelsea lose to City and Arsenal win, Arsenal will be back in the top 4 for the first time this season. A Chelsea draw and an Arsenal win moves Arsenal into a tie on terms of points but Chelsea remains in fourth on a superior goal differential. Third place would also be closer especially if Spurs draw to Stoke. Though Spurs do have a game in hand over all the top clubs.

Arsenal need to use this match as a tune up for the coming week. They should however, not over look this opponent. Even though Everton seem slightly adrift, they have always given Arsenal a go for it. They’ve also been known through the years to take some pretty big scalps from time to time. It shouldn’t be lost on any of us that even as nice as those earlier table permeatations sound, a loss will result in a rather larger stutter step. Something none of us want to deal with I am sure.

The game also represents the first time that Mikel Arteta faces off against his former team. For the better part of six years Arteta was the engine that made Everton go. Then at the end of the summer with Arsenal desperately calling and the allure of playing Champion’s League football presented to him, he jumped ship. In fairness to Everton fans we know how you feel but in reality for the departure of Cesc and Mikel, maybe for both it was time.

For Arsenal we had become too dependent on Cesc to unlock from out jams. Additionally, his presence at the captain always was questionable to me. I am not sure he ever was Captain material for this club. For Arteta at Everton it is likely that he sensed the club weren’t going much further and he had really given everything he could. Additionally, Arteta is in the sunset of his career and maybe it was time to make room so that Jack Rodwell could begin to flourish.

Either way when Arteta takes the pitch he will be the fulcrum of the collected and calm unit that has become Arsenal’s midfield. It is not a complete unit as Jack Wilshere of course has been a long time injury absentee but Arteta’s presence in the midfield along with Song and Ramsey has had a soothing effect. I’ll say it again, Arteta isn’t as dynamic as Cesc Fabregas, very few are. What he does bring is age, experience and directness of play. All those things have been missing from the middle of our pitch since around the 08/09 season.

As we mentioned earlier Andre Santos, the man I’d like to see be our everyday left fullback is out for around 3 maybe 4 games. That means our back 4 will be made up entirely of central defenders. Look for Koscielny to move alongside Per Mertesacker in the middle of the line with Thomas Vermaelen moving to the left and Johann Djourou taking up the role on the right.

Funny thing about Vermaelen on the left is it is a position he knows and has played as recently as Belgium’s most recent friendly. The only time we have seen him do it recently was earlier this season when injuries forced him to in the middle of the game. He didn’t exactly look comfortable but I wonder if part of that was because all week he had been practicing as a CB. Fortunately for Vermaelen, he has this match to get comfortable because the next league match is not one you’d want to be learning on the job.

Santos is a big loss but Vermaelen while not the major playmaker Santos is, is still good on the ball and has offensive power. The funny thing about that is that after Wigan, Wenger was quoting to say he couldn’t remember if he brough Vermaelen in to replace Toure or Adebayor. All jokes aside I am okay with this for now but it could be problematic as we get further down the fixture congestion highway.

How the Match Should Play Out.

The Emirates has become a fortress, with the exception of the opening loss to Liverpool, only Fulham have come to our house and taken points. As a matter of fact we have made it so tight we are conceding less than a goal a game at home. Pretty good stuff. I don’t think Everton have the ability in the field to be a long-term threat for 90 minutes. Arsenal will look to use their width and speed on the outside via Walcott and Gervinho. Gervinho should have a field day against Hibbert. All in all it could be a long day for Everton because with the exception of Fellaini they don’t exactly match up well.

Player to Watch:

Arsenal. Mikel Arteta.  First time playing against his former club. Can he put old friendships aside and help continue Arsenal’s run of form.

Everton. Marouane Fellaini. We have the “forehead,” they have the “fro.” We have a non-functioning Marouane, they have one that actually can play.

Probable Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:

Arsenal: Wilshere (ankle)  Sagna (ankle) Gibbs (hernia) Jenkinson (back fracture) Diaby (hamstring) Santos (knee) Fabianksi (knee) Mannone (shoulder)

Everton: Anichebe (groin) Rodwell (hamstring) Drenthe (foot) McFadden (knee)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:  Van Persie 19 (14 league)

Everton: Vellios 3 (3 league)

Last Meeting (EPL):

Arsenal: 2

Everton: 1

Goals For:

Arsenal (home): 1.9

Everton (away): 1.3

Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 0.7

Everton: (away): 1.3

Last Five:
Arsenal: WDWWW

Everton: LWWLL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 7

Everton: -2

Match Official:
Referee: Howard Webb (Matches 9, R3 Y33)

Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel 1000AM EST

UK: ????? 1500 BST

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3

Everton: 1

The Final Word:

I think its time to give Wenger some slack. Except for the boneheaded move of playing Vermaelen and Santos in Greece, since the end of August he hasn’t put a step out of place. His team is gelling and the club is moving in an upward direction. If he were as bad a manager as many were saying, then surely this turnaround wouldn’t have been possible.

Sure some will say look at our competition. And I’ll say Blackburn is that same kind of competition and they did us in. The point is that if we are going to blame Wenger for the early season faults then he has to be given the credit for the phoenix like rise of the club.  Sure there is more of the season left to go and he can cock it up as well. But right now he sure looks like he knew what he was talking about.

This week marks the 125th anniversary of the club. Happy Birthday Arsenal and on this day (Friday) Arsenal unveiled three statues outside of the club. The first was of the club’s first visionary manager, Herbert Chapman. The second of the epitomy of Arsenal’s famous four defence, Tony Adams and the final statue of the man who can to be identifiable with the club in the most recent years, Thiery Henry.

As the only one to be at the unveiling (Chapman deceased, Adams interviewing for a manager’s job) Henry’s feelings and memories of the club were on full display for everyone. Especially when he began crying at the unveiling. He had this to say:

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have a statue like this in front of the stadium of the team I love and support,’ said Henry, who netted 226 goals as the Gunners won two Premier League titles and the FA Cup twice.

‘The way the statue is gives the perfect example of the love I have for the club – me kneeling facing the Emirates Stadium and Highbury behind is amazing.

 ‘I also have to thank the fans, you have always been special, and I always try to give my best, I know times it was not enough, but I always give it all out there on the field for you guys and the club.

‘It is kind of weird to think of the amount of great players who have played for Arsenal, and for me to be right here, I have to say thanks to all of them, because I would not be able to be right there kneeling in front of this stadium, without them.

‘Also, I must give a special thanks to my close friends…..’ (he broke down here)

‘Whatever I do, I do it with my heart, that is the way I am.

 ‘It was not always easy to cope with the pressure of delivering, but from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Arsenal Football Club for giving me this opportunity to be here in front of this club I love – once a Gooner, always a Gooner.

‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart, but I played with some great players too and it would not have been possible without them.’

Still a fan favourite I believe there were chants of “sign him now.” It was by all reports a wonderfully moving tribute and it is people like Henry and his devotion to the club that truly make Arsenal special.

We often lose site of the history of our club especially in light of what happens during now. But Arsenal unlike some other clubs have a long line of history and tradition that they can look back and be proud of it. There will certainly be more history to come. Big clubs don’t stay down for long. They go quiet for a while but they come back. They always do. Arsenal is one of the biggest in England and now in Europe. It is only a matter of time before we make history again. Which one of the current crop of stars will get the honour that the three very deserving individuals have gotten? Who knows but is going to be fun to watch.

Again, to our club Happy 125th Anniversary. I am proud to be associated as a supporter of this club and will be Arsenal till I die.

Until next time – Stay Goonerish!!

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