Theo & Giroud Could Devastate Everton – Match Preview

Match Preview – Arsenal v Everton – Premier League – 01.03.15

Compared to the promise of last season the two sides that line up at the Emirates Stadium today have faltered somewhat. Everton looked to be a side capable of challenging the top four, their crown taken by the revelatory Southampton, yet now they are firmly in the bottom half of the table and even a win today could not elevate them into the top half.

FA Cup holders Arsenal, buoyed by the signing of truly world-class Alexis Sanchez, were expected to challenge for the title yet for most of the season, as injuries and on occasion poor mentality would have it, they have been jumping in and out of the top four with a points tally somewhere between nine and thirteen points behind Chelsea.

In the league Arsenal’s strong 2015 form, bar the opening day defeat to Southampton and late defensive capitulation against Tottenham,  has helped put them in a position where even a loss today would not see them relinquish a place in the top four (Liverpool would need to beat Man City by some 11 goals to displace us on goal difference). In some sense it is commendable that Arsenal can “afford” to drop a game without having to rely on the results of others to secure our Champions League feature.

However, Arsenal could, and possibly should, have so much more and no game better exemplifies Arsenal’s season than the game against Monaco. The post match reaction from Arsenal was almost as uncomfortable viewing as the shambles on the pitch. Arsenal were dreadful, there’s no getting around that.

Arsenal is full of wonderful talent and, as evidenced by the result against Manchester City, can beat any team put in front of them on their day. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about Arsenal is they can be dazzlingly brilliant but far too often expose a soft underbelly. Incontrovertibly devastating and unstoppable at their best yet within minutes incomprehensibly brittle.

A lack of guts and determination saw them drop points against top four rivals Southampton on New Year’s Day and a deficiency of concentration saw them surrender a 1-0 lead over Tottenham. Arsenal could be entering this match on 54 points with the opportunity to, at least temporarily, over take Man City in second and put pressure on Chelsea at the top. Given some of the displays from Arsenal this season that is really where they should be.

Alas, too often have we spoken of Arsenal with “if only” on the tips of our tongues. If only Arsenal hadn’t been so complacent and, at times, foolish against Monaco. Chances were created despite Arsenal not being at their best and it showed both sides of our game. The ability to carve open our opponents but also the mental fragility and torpor that has seen us drop far too many points.

What Arsenal turns up today will largely determine the result. Will it be the ashamed but steely side desperate to ‘put things right’ or the deflated self-pitying Arsenal?

Everton will be boosted by their midweek victory whilst Arsenal will be reeling. The Gunners need this victory to get their minds right ahead of the crucial FA Cup quarter-final, preceded by an away trip to QPR, and scraping through would only be a relief – Arsenal need swagger not relief.

Theo Walcott’s pace would be best suited to a match like this where we’ll need to attack with rapid intent but he seems incompatible with Bellerin. The forced absence of the more experienced Debuchy may better explain why Theo has found his match time limited since his return to fitness rather than the gleeful conspiracy of his detractors that Wenger is phasing him out.

Gabriel may partner Koscielny after Mertesacker’s horror showing in the week (made worse by the high line they played) but that would suggest Chambers will start as Bellerin often relies on the communication of Per to better defend and if Chambers starts then Theo could too.

If Theo starts and Giroud retains his place I think they could combine well and put the game to bed early but I have a sneaking suspicion that there will only be defensive changes.

Changes will be made but finding the right balance will be hard. In normal circumstances this should be an uncomplicated victory for Arsenal but when has anything at Arsenal been uncomplicated?

Arsenal from; Szczesny, Ospina, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gabriel, Chambers, Monreal, Bellerin, Flamini, Coquelin, Rosicky, Özil, Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck, Cazorla, Alexis, Akpom.

Predicted Line-up

Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Özil, Cazorla, Welbeck, Alexis, Giroud

I expect to see substitute appearances from Rosicky, Walcott and Flamini

Match Quote

“We have come back in a great position in the league and we want to stabilise that position.”  – Arsène Wenger

Last 3 Meetings

• Everton 2-2 Arsenal (23.08.2014)
• Everton 3-0 Arsenal (06.04.2014)
• Arsenal 4-1 Everton (08.03.2014)

Form Guide

Arsenal Last 5
LWWWL

Everton Last 5
WDWLD

Opposition watch

Europa League aside, Everton have not been playing with great confidence and have laboured to relative safety from the relegation dog fight this season. Eleven points from their previous 14 Premier League matches is relegation form but Everton have more than enough quality to secure a top 10 finish.

In some respects Everton have been “Arsenal-lite” this season. They too should higher up the table but costly injuries have lost them points whilst domination of possession has not transmuted into wins and, like Arsenal, match-winning chances have gone begging.

Eight goals in 10 games for Romelu Lukaku since Everton started playing more directly suggests he’s nearing last season’s form. If he starts down the right again he could cause Arsenal some severe problems.

Factfile

• Arsenal has won their last 6 home league matches
• Lukaku hasn’t scored against a top-seven side
• Everton haven’t won on any of their last 18 league visits to Arsenal
• No team has dropped more points from a winning position than Everton this season (17)
• Arsenal have only lost two league home matches since the start of last season
• Wenger has never lost a home league match to Everton
• Everton have just one win in their last ten league matches
• Arsenal have conceded just five first-half goals in their last 18 league games

Prediction

A gritty 2-0 to Arsenal with Giroud and Alexis on the scoresheet.

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