After trauma at Old Trafford Gunners were resurrected with goals of Robin van Persie who is four goals short of matching Alan Shearer’s record for Premier League goals in a calendar year, with 32 in 2011 and five games left.Thomas Vermaelen return in te squad for sure helped also.Mikel Arteta recent performance for Gunners brought lots of calm in Arsenal midfield,and today he is facing former club.For his performance at Gunners,Everton boss David Moyes has nothing more than praises..
“I’ve watched from the television, I’ve not seen him play live. But from what I have seen Mikel has played well,” Moyes told Sky Sports News. “He played great for us and it looks as if he’s giving a good contribution at Arsenal.
“I think the style suits Mikel. He’s on the ball plenty of times, getting lots of touches and he’s having an influence on the game.
“From that point of view, he’ll be revelling in the job he’s got and what he’s doing at Arsenal.”
Middle week defeat against Olympiakos didn’t let lots of bad memories,as Gunners already claimed top spot and proceeded to last 16 of Uefa Champions,so Wenger rested few players,and focused on today match against Toffees.
Last season Gunners won both games with 2-1,and they looking forward to the same again.Everton scored a half of Arsenal goals this season ,just 15,and i last 10 meetings,Arsenal lost just one game.So anything else then another win for Gunners is going to be miracle.
Everton boss David Moyes will once again be without midfielder Jack Rodwell.Fellow midfielders Leon Osman (hamstring) and Royston Drenthe (foot) will be assessed ahead of kick-off, while Moyes is hopeful striker Louis Saha will be able to return after a thigh complaint.
Arsenal will be without Andre Santos.Goalkeepers Lukasz Fabianski (knee) and Vito Mannone (shoulder) also picked up injuries in Greece, so veteran Manuel Almunia will make a rare return to the first-team squad.
Captain Robin van Persie was rested in midweek, along with several other key men, but midfielders Abou Diaby (hamstring) and Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) are still out, along with defenders Carl Jenkinson (back), Kieran Gibbs (hernia) and Bacary Sagna (ankle), while midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) is not expected back until the new year
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Arsenal (Probable, 4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Djourou, Vermaelen; Arteta, Song; Walcott, Ramsey, Gervinho; Van Persie.
Out: Santos, Fabianski (both knee), Jenkinson (back), Gibbs (hernia), Miyaichi (ankle), Sagna (ankle), Wilshere (both), Mannone (shoulder).
Everton (Probable, 4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Osman, Drenthe; Cahill; Saha.
Out: Anichebe (groin), Rodwell (hamstring).
Tests: Osman (hamstring), Drenthe (foot), Saha (thigh).