please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Arsenal travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League. Arsenal go into this league clash in great form. They have won their last five league games and have scored 17 goals in the process. The turnaround in form has been astonishing and not many could have predicted that. Arsenal having been dumped out of the FA cup by Sunderland had to face Tottenham in the North London Derby. They went behind after Louis Saha scored and then an Adebayor penalty gave Tottenham Hotspur a two goal lead. Then the turnaround came. Arsenal responded with five unanswered goals and have not looked back since. A win against Liverpool at Anfield and a one goal win against Newcastle at the Emirates was interrupted by a great performance against AC Milan at home in the champions league, when the Gunners beat the Italian champions by three goals to nil. Everton were also on a very good run of form but they unlike Arsenal could not get a result against Liverpool at Anfield. A hat-trick by Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool all three points and it ended a seven game unbeaten run in the league for Everton. Before they face Arsenal, Everton have to face Sunderland in the FA cup. Everton have progressed to the last eight of the FA cup and have a real chance of making it to Wembley. Everton have a very good record against the top five at home. They have beaten Tottenham Hotspur,Chelsea and Manchester City at Goodison Park and they did not even concede a single goal in those three games. Only Manchester United out of the top five could manage a win against Everton at Goodison Park. So Arsenal will have to be at their best if they are come away from Goodison with the three points. Arsenal won the league fixture against Everton at the Emirates earlier in the season thanks to a magnificent volley from Robin Van Persie. It was one of the goals of the season. David Moyes had to go into yet another season without spending any real money in the summer transfer window. Everton under the ownership of Bill Kenwright could never match the likes of Arsenal or Man Utd but now they are also falling behind the likes of QPR,Stoke and Aston Villa in terms of spending. Credit must go to Moyes for keeping them at the level they have been when you consider the amount of money he has at his disposal. Everton have not been able to attract any foreign owners for a variety of reasons and one of them being their ground. So for the time being they have to thank their lucky stars that they have a manager like Moyes who can work with the budget he has been given. Louis Saha was sold to Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window. They replaced him by going and getting Nikica Jelavić from Rangers. A forward that had excelled in Scotland but has to still prove himself in a far better league. He has not got off to a bad star, he scored the winner against Tottenham Hotspur when Everton beat Spurs at Goodison. Everton also loaned Steven Pienaar back from Tottenham. A player that was a star in his first spell at Everton but he has struggled to get into the Tottenham side and has failed to impress. But Pienaar after returning to Everton found his form again and he scored for Everton against Chelsea. Another player they got in the summer was Royston Drenthe thanks to a loan deal with Real Madrid. Drenthe was the stand out player in the European Under 21's championship back in 2007. An outstanding talent that has failed to reach his potential. He will be a dangerous player with that left foot and has already scored a stunning goal in the capital this season. Not many teams have their best player at left back but for me Everton do. Leighton Baines has developed into an outstanding player and he will no doubt be trying provide his normal service from left back. Denis Stracqualursi after struggling to adjust in the early part of the season had finally started to show his qualities. A big center forward who does not give center backs any time or space and makes sure that they know they have been in a game. He is a very hard worker and his pressing sets the example for the rest of the Everton side. He is a typical Everton player and Arsenal will have to wary of his battling qualities. Chelsea have to face Manchester City at the Ethiad on the same day Arsenal face Everton. So Arsenal know that Chelsea have a tough ask given that Manchester City have not dropped a single league point at home. A win here and the Arsenal could well go six points clear of Chelsea. Also after the five league wins in a row, Arsenal have adjusted to their target for rest of the season. Tottenham are only a point ahead of Arsenal and third is well in Arsenal's sights now. Robin Van Persie is having the season of his life and his goal scoring run shows no signs of stopping. He has got 26 goals in the league so far. The most goals scored in a premier league season was by Andy Cole back in the 93-94 season. He ended the season with 34 goals and Van Persie could match or beat that record if he can carry on this sort of form. Thomas Rosicky has found the form that made him highly valued at Arsenal before the serious injuries. His quick passing and dribbling speeds up the Arsenal play and if can carry on his good form then it will make the team sustain the sort of play that was witnessed against the likes of Tottenham and AC Milan. Recently, Rosicky signed a two year contract at Arsenal and the fans have welcomed that news because the Rosicky that they have seen in recent weeks is a player who brings joy to Arsenal fans with his style of play. Arsenal have finally been able to field a back four that has all the players in their correct positions. Bacary Sagna is back to his best and when he is at his best he is arguably the best right back in the league. His return has also helped Theo Walcott. With Sagna behind him, Walcott knows that he has a reliable defender who knows his game inside out. Both showed great link up against Newcastle and Arsenal will need that sort of play if they are to get three points against Everton. On the other side, Kieran Gibbs has also shown very good form in recent weeks. He has been able to remain injury free and he has also shown his qualities, bur with Andre Santos returning from injury, Gibbs will have to play really well to keep Santos out of the team. Arsenal go into the game against Everton in confident mood but winning at Everton is not an easy task. As three of the top five clubs in England have already found out this season. So Arsenal know that they will need to at their best in order to get the three points at Goodison Park. Teams News: Arsene Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Everton: Played: 195 Wins: 96 Draws: 41 Losses: 58 For: 319 Against: 238 GD: 81 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 1-0 Everton Arsenal 2-1 Everton Everton 1-2 Arsenal Arsenal 2-2 Everton Everton 1-6 Arsenal Everton 1-1 Arsenal please log in to view this image Mangers Views: Arsene Wenger on the run in: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
Hey Arsenal lads and lasses, A Blue here. Got the cup game on Saturday so I suppose that could be well dependent on the outcome of this game. If we win then obviously optimism and joy will be ripe but if we lose its not bear thinking about following the derby defeat. Couldn't tell you a starting line up, If Jagielka starts in defence then you'll probably win but if Heitinga starts (which based on form he should) then we have a pretty good chance in my book. We have a pretty solid defence and he would be best suited to mark his international teammate. If we beat Sunderland then i'll go 2-1 to the blues but if we don't progress then I'll say 0-2 defeat.
We're in great form and I think we'll take buckets of confidence into this game. Even if we go behind, we know we can still win the game. It's good to see our players really enjoying their game and fighting for every point. I'm loving seeing Rosicky at the moment, he is a revelation
I knew he COULD be good - just needed playing time, and getting his potential back. We've several getting back into contention, and finding some form ..... 3rd place might just be possible.
I think he suffered a major crisis of confidence a while back after some long term injuries, but his class has always been evident. It's great to see Little Mozart back to his best, he'll be a major asset in the run in. Two or three others are coming back from injury now too and right on cue also, we're going to need everyone fighting fit and giving 100% - 3rd is well within our grasp.
If wenger is an idiot and drops rosicky for ramsey then I am going to be mad . Rosicky is world class. Used to be one of the my favourite players in the world at Dortmound.
It will be a narrow Victory to Arsenal. 2-1. Everton is not an easy place to go but I can see us winning this game playing as we are. A very important fixture considering Chelsea play City.
Fair if you play at your best you will win, but Everton are good at stopping teams play especially at home.
Indeed, Tottenham,Manchester City and Chelsea have all got beat at Goodison Park. We have to be at our best and if we can get the three points.
That's right going there isn't a certainty for anyone, but with the right attitude you should be able to come away with the points. This fixture a couple of months ago I would have gone with you losing, but on recent form a win is possible.
Unbelievable how Rosicky has completely transformed his game. Maybe it was just a case of getting 4-5 games and building confidence. Even though he is 31, he may well have 4-5 years left at the top level. He is still very athletic, quick, and his few years not playing may actually help him now. He has been the best player in the league over the last month in my view - by a long way.
