Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 6/04/2014
Kick-off: 13:30(BST)
Match
It would not be an overstatement to say that Everton’s clash against Arsenal is the Toffees’ most important fixture of the season. The Roberto Martinez revolution at Goodison Park has seen the Everton faithful treated to some fantastic football and the Spaniard could cap off a fine season by leading the Toffees to Champions League qualification against all odds.
While the season has already been a very successful one for Everton, qualification to the Champions League would facilitate the club making a step-up to the next level and in-turn attract some top class talent to the blue half of Merseyside next season.
However, before Everton start dreaming of playing in Europe’s elite club competition, there is certainly a lot of work to be done starting with the visit of Arsenal, the team whom the Toffees are attempting to overthrow from the fourth Champions League spot.
After spending most of the season at the summit of the Premier League, Arsenal have seen their season curtailed with some horrible results against the big sides and the Gunners now face a fight to even secure their place in the top four with Everton hot on their heels.
Arsenal’s loss can certainly be Everton’s gain but that being said, Arsene Wenger’s side can never be underestimated and given the significance of the three points on offer for both sides on Sunday afternoon, the match should be an enticing affair.
Everton Team News
Roberto Martinez has a couple of injury problems to contend with ahead of the clash against Arsenal. The likes of Darron Gibson, Arouna Kone, Lacina Traore, Bryan Oviedo and Steven Pienaar are definitely ruled out while Phil Jagielka is a doubt and looks unlikely to recover in time from his hamstring injury.
Ross Barkley was forced off against Fulham last week with a calf problem but Martinez is confident that the young prodigy will be in contention against Arsenal.
In the absence of Jagielka, young John Stones will continue at the heart of the defence alongside Sylvain Distin while Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines will also retain their place on the full back positions.
The solid duo of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy will most likely lineup in the middle of the park but there could be a couple of changes in the attacking department for the Toffees.
Steven Naismith, Kevin Mirallas and Aiden McGeady turned the game in Everton’s favour with their fine cameo off the bench against Fulham and the trio could well be in contention to make a start on Sunday which means that Gerard Deulofeu, Leon Osman and Ross Barkley could probably drop to the sidelines.
Romelu Lukaku will be leading the line for the Toffees and will be looking to get back among the scorers after missing out against Fulham.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Distin, Stones, Coleman; Mirallas, McCarthy, Barkley, Barry, McGeady; Lukaku
Arsenal (Probable XI): Szczesny; Monreal, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna; Podolski, Flamini, Arteta, Cazorla, Rosicky; Giroud
Form
Everton: L W W W W
Arsenal: D W L D D
Last Meeting
08/03/2014 Arsenal 4 – 1 Everton (FA Cup)
08/12/2013 Arsenal 1 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Everton have been in fine run of form heading into the game while Arsenal have stuttered a bit of late. Historically though, the Toffees have a very poor record against the Gunners. However, given the importance of the clash for the two sides, the form book will certainly go out of the window come kick off time.
Arsenal and Everton played out an exciting draw earlier on in the season and Sunday’s clash should also be an entertaining affair between two teams who arguably play the best football in the division.
Nothing less than a win will do for Everton in their hopes of overhauling Arsenal while the Gunners would be happy to avoid defeat.
The match surely has the potential of a spectacle with lots of goals to be witnessed. A high scoring draw could be on the cards.
Everton 2 – 2 Arsenal
