Arsenal host Everton on Sunday afternoon in the latest Premier League fixture, where the Gunners will be looking to consolidate their third placed position in the league table. With Tottenham not playing a league game this weekend, whilst Liverpool clash with Manchester City, it’s a great time for Arsenal to put pressure on their rivals.
Key Men:
Arsenal- Olivier Giroud
The French striker has been in great form recently in the league, with eight goals and two assists in 15 games this season. However, his game against Monaco on Wednesday evening was very poor and frustrating, so he will be looking to show that was a blip and not a display of his usual game.
Everton- Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku has been a bit hit and miss since his permanent switch to Goodison Park from Chelsea but he comes into the game on the back of a brace against Young Boys, which adds to his hat-trick in the first leg.
Like Giroud, Lukaku was poor in his last game (excluding the Europa League tie) and he will be looking to assert his form against the Gunners and push his side away from the relegation zone.
Likely Approach:
Arsenal need a win in the game to keep up their recent league form and consolidate their top four position but they are also in need of a confident performance on the back of an abysmal showing in midweek. It could be a potentially hostile atmosphere on Sunday, with fans aggrieved with the Monaco showing, so Arsenal will need a quick response.
In some ways, Arsenal’s game on Wednesday was the worst thing that could have happened for Everton as it now adds a new dimension to the game. Everton have been poor on their travels this season and they come up against an Arsenal side who will want to redeem themselves.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Everton
Arsenal will hit Everton hard this weekend and will look to erase their performances from Wednesday evening. Ahead of the second-leg in Monaco, Arsenal need to build-up their form and this is the first game in that run.
Added to that, the players who disappointed on Wednesday will look to show it was just a one-off, whilst those that didn’t feature for the duration of the match will now be looking to force their way into the starting line-up.