Preview: Everton vs Arsenal
Gunners face a resurgent Everton side.
A lacklustre start to the Premiership season saw Everton sink towards the bottom of the table in the opening months. However, the Toffees have responded with a seven-game unbeaten streak that has helped David Moyes' side move into 12th place ahead of their
tough home contest with Arsenal on Sunday.
Moyes’ side have found their attacking prowess in recent games and moved up the table thanks largely to an unbeaten seven match run that has moved them challenging for European places. David Moyes also picked up Premier League Manager of the Month Award
for October. In fact, they have only lost three of their last 23 matches in the league and look rock solid at the back.
Young Jack Rodwell is in contention for a start after four weeks out with an ankle problem. Moyes was particularly upbeat about Rodwell as he said, “He has a chance of starting this weekend. I don’t think he was ready for the past couple of games but he
is almost there now."
The Gunners moved to within a solitary point of second-place Manchester United with their 2-0 win over Wolverhampton on Wednesday, and with four wins from their last five games, Arsene Wenger's side is looking to close the gap at the top.
Gunners won the corresponding fixture 6-1 last season and their form on the road is better than at home this season. They have 11 points away from home, one fewer than at the Emirates Stadium. Third-placed Arsenal have won four and drawn two of the last
six meetings between these teams home and away.
Marouane Chamakh has an enviable record of scoring the fastest top-flight goal of the season after 37 seconds against Wolves. Arsenal are five points adrift of leaders Chelsea and will be determined to avoid any slip-ups.
Team News
Everton's midfield has had a number of injury issues this season, and Moyes will once again be without Leon Osman for Sunday's game because of an ankle problem while Maroaune Fellaini begins to serve the first of his three-game suspension after picking up
a red card against Bolton on Wednesday.
But, Moyes may get a bit of good news on Sunday as well with both John Heitinga and Jack Rodwell possibly returning to the line-up.
Arsenal have got some key players back in recent weeks with Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie returning to the line-up, although both Abou Diaby (ankle) and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) are still out.
Kieran Gibbs is available for selection following a short spell on the sideline with an ankle injury. Arsene Wenger is likely to continue with the Polish goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski who has started Arsenal's last nine games in all competitions.
Player to watch: Tim Cahill
He is Everton’s top scorer in the league with five goals. He has a knack of scoring late on.
Prediction: Everton 1 Arsenal 1
Everton remain a tough defensive unit and this game should be close with not many goals expected. Both sides have the ability to win the match but both may have to settle for a point in the end.
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