Under-pressure Mikel Arteta is in desperate need for a massive win as Arsenal travels to Goodison Park to face Everton this weekend in the Premier League.
The Gunners have made their worst start to the Premier League after Game Week 13 since 1975/1976 season. They are 10 points off top four and 5 points off relegation zone.
Everton are aiming to qualify for the UEFA Champions League and are just a point adrift the fourth position.
Team News
Recent signing Thomas Partey is still out injured, with Gabriel Martinelli unlikely to be rushed into first team football.
Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Magalhaes are suspended following their red card against Burnley and Southampton respectively.
Hector Bellerin is back from a one-match ban after reaching the yellow cards limit. His return might not earn him a direct first team shirt due to the performance of Maintland Niles against Southampton.
Lucas Digne is still out for Everton but Seamus Coleman is back and James Rodriguez is still a doubt.
Lineup
Everton possible lineup
Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane, Coleman; Allan, Doucoure, Sigurdsson; Iwobi, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal possible lineup
Leno; Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Niles El Neny, Ceballos, Saka; Aubameyang, Nketiah, Pepe
Match Preview
Arsenal are currently going through a lot of problems and t doesn’t look like stopping soon. The Mikel Arteta led team is bereft of confidence and the draw against Southampton has done little to that effect.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Southampton ended a run of 648 minutes without a league goal at the Emirates Stadium to cancel out Theo Walcott’s opener in Wednesday’s clash. The draw ended a four match losing run on home soil in the premier league.
The question now is; Is this the end or just a flash in a pan?
Arsenal last 6 league matches have seen them taken 2 points out of a possible 18. They have also conceded in every match except their 0-0 draw against Leeds. The stats stands at 9 goals conceded in their last 6.
The red card to Gabriel Magalhaes who is arguably their best player is a big blow as they face Carlo Ancelotti led Everton. The Brazilian has brought calm and improvement to the backline. He will definitely be missed against Everton.
The Toffees started the season superbly, winning seven in a row in all competitions which made many call them title favourite. They suffered a loss of form and picked up 5 points from a possible 21 between October 17 and December 5. Suspensions to Richarlison and injury of Lucas Digne really affected them.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side seem to have recovered from that blip and player absence, though, thanks to their victories over Chelsea and Leicester City while keeping cleansheets in both victories.
Everton possess an energetic midfield that should overpower whatever Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have to offer. Once the midfield is bypassed, the Defense is up for taking due to the number of errors they have committed in the past and present. David Luiz is a time bomb and his replacement Mustafi is another gunpowder ready to spark and cause destruction.
Latest odds
Everton are favourites to win at odds 2.38 on betscorum with the draw available at 3.68 and Arsenal can claim a shock win at 3.08 odds on betscorum.
Prediction
It’s one week to Arteta’s one year anniversary with Arsenal and the signs are not great atall. The gunners defense will let them down in this match once against Everton electric frontline. Everton is also not defensively strong thanks to the lack of pace by their center backs Mina and Keane.
We predict a Both teams to score at odds 1.71 on betscorum
Stake wisely and always employ bankroll management in your bets
