Arsenal spent most of the season looking like a side with only an outside chance to finish inside the top four. However, after the drop of form from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, the Gunners have a chance to get to the third spot. They will travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton next.
Arsenal’s away form has been a real issue this season as they have won just five of their 14 games. They need to get it right soon as they have some tough away encounters against the likes of Wolves, Watford and Burnley lined up.
Everton lost their way at one point, and the pressure was mounting on Marco Silva. However, they have improved, and are going in this game on the back of two consecutive wins.
What to expect from Arsenal?
Unai Emery hasn’t been afraid to throw Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang together on occasions. We feel that he can start again with his star forwards together against Everton as the Toffees can be troubled by players who make runs between the channels. If Arsenal goes that path, then we expect Mesut Ozil to miss out as Emery would want someone who would be willing to do the nitty gritty job in midfield. So Henrikh Mkhitaryan might get the nod over the German.
Lucas Torreira is suspended while Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka are also doubtful to start. Matteo Guendouzi will be expected to fill in, and his energy and work rate will be required in a game like this.
Arsenal will be expected to line up in a 3-5-2. Ainsley Maitland Niles and Sead Kolasinac will provide width from the wide areas by pushing high up the pitch. On the attacking front, this formations looks strong and dangerous with two lethal strikers up top.
However, with the wingbacks looking to push up, that will also in turn, provide space to Everton’s winger and the Toffees have some decent options on the flanks. So Emery needs to get the balance right which he has failed to find in away games this season.
What will Everton bring to the table?
Last time the two sides met at the Emirates, Everton were beaten 2-0. However, on another day, the scoreline could have been easily reversed as the Toffees created a lot of opportunities. We don’t expect the game to be as open as the previous one and Marco Silva will like to keep things tight and organised.
A lot of Everton attacks are expected to come from wide regions, and they will often look to cut back the ball to Gylfi Sigurdsson around the edge of the box instead of crossing every time. Therefore Arsenal will need to keep the Iceland international in check as he is lethal from a distance and set pieces. Lucas Digne can cause a lot of trouble with his forward runs as well. Idrissa Gueye will have to put in a significant shift in midfield as to not allow Arsenal attackers too much time on the ball.
Prediction: Arsenal To Win 2-1
Arsenal’s away form has been a worry throughout the season, and if Emery can conquer that, then there would be no stopping them from getting the top 4. The game should be evenly balanced all over the pitch but the Arsenal attackers and attacking midfielders can change the game. So we expect the Gunners to nick this game based on their attacking firepower.
