Arsenal are hosting Everton for their Premier League fixture at the Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners are coming off a shambolic display against Swansea City which saw them lose 3 goals to 1. The relegation escapees walked into their penalty box to slot in three easy goals. Even after maintaining a majority of the possession, Arsene Wenger’s men could not stop the Swans from running away with the three points.
Nobody in their right mind would have predicted the Swans to come away with maximum points in their last two league fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal and yet they did. The Gunners were caught completely off the mark last night as they saw Carvalhal’s men find the back of the net on 3 occasions and come away with the crucial win.
Arsenal’s chances of making it into the top four are diminishing as each game progresses. They are going to have to play catchup with Liverpool who are 8-points ahead of them in the points table. While their home run has been decent enough, their away record is disappointing. 13 points in 13 away league games are not what a title contending side should produce.
Everton are coming into this game motivated after their 2-1 showing against Leicester City. Sam Allardyce’s men are expected to make an inspirational display at the Emirates.
Wenger will have to make a few changes from the last fixture and is expected to field his men in the 4-3-3 formation.
Defense
Petr Cech made a shambolic mistake in the last game which allowed the Swans to get the lead. But even then, the former Chelsea goalkeeper should get the nod in between the sticks.
Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi are expected to pair up in the centre-back position. Koscielny has been in form this season but is still is the senior most figure in the defence behind Per Mertesacker.
Hector Bellerin should find himself get featured on the right back position with Nacho Monreal on the left. Sead Kolasinac might make a second-half appearance if a defensive figure is needed to secure a win.
Midfield
Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka are expected to pair up in the holding midfield role. Aaron Ramsey might be dropped in this matchup and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to start ahead of the two in the attacking midfield position.
Attack
Now that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is here, Wenger might just field him on the left wing with Alexandre Lacazette in the lone striker position. Mesut Ozil is the predicted starter on the right.
