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Theo Walcott
08/12/2013
K.O: 17:30
Venue: The Emirates
Roberto Martinez’s high-flying Everton travel to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon to face the league-leaders Arsenal, in what promises to be the clash of the weekend.
The Toffees are fresh off the back of a historical midweek 0-1 victory at Old Trafford, after a late Bryan Oviedo handed Everton their first win in the fixture for 21 years. Martinez has talked up his desire of ending Everton’s inferiority complex when facing the ‘top sides’, and he will get another chance to move towards this goal when facing Arsenal away on Sunday, a fixture Everton have failed to win each year since 1996.
Everton will have a tough time ending that unpleasant run, as Arsene Wenger’s men appear to have finally found the balance between defensive prowess and attacking flair, and have been reaping the rewards thus far.
Arsenal vs Everton
Team News:
Arsenal
The Gunners have no new injuries or suspensions to deal with this weekend, as they came through their midweek victory against Hull City unscathed. However, the weekend fixtures are likely to come too soon for Lukas Podolski, who is now back in full-training but not yet match fit; it is expected that the German will make the bench for the penultimate Champions League tie in Naples on Wednesday night.
Theo Walcott should now be fully fit and available for a starting place whenever Wenger sees fit, the flying English winger provided the assist for the goal that sealed Aaron Ramsey’s brace last weekend and he certainly offers something completely different to the likes to of Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla.
Wenger’s midweek gamble in resting Olivier Giroud has proven successful, and it is expected that the Frenchman will return to lead the Arsenal line, rested and eager to continue his fine start to the campaign. One final doubt is Bacary Sagna; the full-back has been crucial to Arsenal’s defensive solidarity this term but missed the midweek clash against Hull, we must wait to see if his injury is to keep him out for a prolonged period.
Everton
Roberto Martinez also has no new injury or suspension woes, and will take his full compliment to the Emirates, minus Leighton Baines, who is unfortunately out until the new year.
Everton will certainly look to exploit the void left by the experienced Sagna at right-back, as Carl Jenkinson is not yet the finished article by any means; with the new boys Gerard Deulofeu and Bryan Oviedo adding spark to Everton side, Martinez should feel confident in his side providing the creativity to unlock the stubborn Arsenal rear-guard.
Romelu Lukaku is certainly built in the mould of Didier Drogba and Wenger will hope that he doesn’t go on to replicate the Ivorian’s goal-scoring record against the Gunners; Lukaku is a different breed of striker to those that Koscielney and Mertesacker have faced so far this season, and it will be interesting to see how that particular battle plays out.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal – Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott’s burst of pace perhaps hasn’t been missed as much as it could have been as with the rise of Aaron Ramsey and the arrival of Mesut Ozil, Arsenal truly have been blessed in attacking options. However, Walcott offers something different to the aforementioned players and his pace combined with Ozil’s vision is certainly something Arsenal fans want to see more of.
If given the nod on Sunday, the Englishman is certainly a player to watch, especially as he scored Arsenal’s only goal in the fixture at Goodison Park last season, which ended 1-1.
Theo Walcott provided the assist for Aaron Ramsey’s second goal against Cardiff last weekend.
Everton – Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian has been an instant sensation at Goodison Park, chipping in with 8 goals in ten appearances, and averaging a shot accuracy of 72%, which actually betters that of Luis Suarez (61%) and Sergio Aguero (61%).
Lukaku has converted an impressive 32% of his chances, and is therefore deadly in front of goal; the strength, power and pace of the youngster is frightening at times, and Koscielney and Mertesacker must prepare themselves for a tough task in preserving their run of 3 clean sheets in a row.
Lukaku Shot Accuracy
Prediction
Everton will fancy their chances of pegging Arsenal back at the Emirates on Sunday, and I do believe that they’ll prove the toughest opponents to visit North London yet; however, Arsenal’s defence have withstood the likes of Suarez and Sturridge, and their fluid attacking movement should prove too much for Everton this weekend. A battle, but a slim Arsenal win.
Arsenal 1-0 Everton
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