The Gunners look to continue their good run of form against Everton on Merseyside Sunday afternoon, a fixture that's traditionally been more difficult than one might suggest. On paper, it's certainly no gimme, as Everton have some real players in their squad but with Arsenal almost at full fitness, Emery again has options as he looks to lead his side to a top four finish come May.
With Tottenham winning in midweek Arsenal currently sit fourth in the league, a point behind their rivals. However, with a game in hand over Spurs and Manchester United, and with neither playing this weekend, Arsenal need a win to keep the pressure on. For the first time in three seasons, a top four finish is in Arsenal's own hands, something Emery need not forget, and Wenger live to have loved. Makers of their own destiny; it starts Sunday at Goodison Park.
Last season though, Arsenal had a field day away on the blue half of Merseyside as they romped to a 5-2 win, more of the same would leave the Gunners third on sixty-six points with only six games left.
Arsenal's definite absentees include the suspended Lucas Torreira, who sits out the third and final game of this red card suspension, whilst long term injuries continue to keep Bellerin, Holding and Welbeck out. There are major doubts over the fitness of midfield general Granit Xhaka, who hasn't trained fully since returning from international duty with a thigh problem. He missed Monday night's win against Newcastle and is likely to sit this one out too - certainly on the bench, if at all. Fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey came off Monday night with a knock but the club are hopeful that he's fit enough to be available to feature in this one. Centre back Laurent Koscielny is likely to be available again so could come in for the ever-inconsistent Shkodran Mustafi. Fellow centre back Sokratis is one yellow card away from a tenth leading to a domestic suspension so with Koscielny available again, this could come into Emery's thinking. The Spaniard is, however, likely to stick to what seems to be the formation now; a back three followed by a four man midfield then either one attacking midfielder and two strikers, or two attacking midfielders and one central striker. Either way, he surely cannot leave out the in form Mesut Ozil and Alex Lacazette out, nor top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang again.
The hosts on the other hand, are looking to make it as the best of rest in the Premier League. Sitting ninth and just three points off Wolves in seventh, the Toffees will be looking for much more than a 'make it difficult for Arsenal' performance. They'll be chasing all three points just as much as the Gunners, and with a home crowd behind them, will be confident. Head Coach Marco Silva has a relatively in shape squad to choose from with the only senior absentee being central defender Yerry Mina who misses out with a hamstring problem. Dangermen Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison are both fully fit and will be looking to threaten Arsenal's back line from the off. Silva has his men well drilled and with a now solid looking defence, the Gunners will find it tough no doubt. Arsenal are however, blessed with a full suite of attacking options and two true strikers who thrive in tandem. Lacazette and Aubemeyang as a partnership is like nothing else in the league and Everton will find it equally as tough against these two. With Ozil's vision and creativity in behind, Pickford could have a busy day at the offfice, if he is indeed at the office and not scrapping down the local pub on a Sunday sesh.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
CB: Nacho Monreal
RWB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CM: Aaron Ramsey
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
CAM: Mesut Ozil
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: A nervy 2-1 win to the Gunners.
@craigbennett10
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