Goodison Park
Kick-off: 10pm SL Time
Referee: Kevin Friend.
Arsène Wenger has his World Cup winners back for the visit to Goodison Park and the availability of Mesut Özil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski is timely following a taxing Champions League trip to Istanbul in midweek and the loss of Mikel Arteta to an ankle injury. Arsenal will still have nightmares about their last visit to Goodison Park, where they were turned over 3-0. Everton’s attacking display, with Romelu Lukaku moved wide and Steven Naismith operating as a false nine, left Arsene Wenger and his back four shell-shocked. That encounter was back in April and really stoked the flames of the race for the top four. This year’s fixture comes considerably earlier in the calendar, and with the Gunners fancying themselves not just as top-four material but genuine title contenders.
They certainly proved in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace that they possess that most important of title-winning credentials: the ability to grind out three points while not being at your best. Aaron Ramsey’s late winner will give him the confidence to continue the form he showed last season with the red card he received in midweek not affecting his eligibility for this encounter.
Everton had a shaky start to the season, their defensive lapses against Leicester costing them two points. Boss Roberto Martínez had a stuttering – if not disastrous – start to last season with three draws, and he’ll be eager to pick up points earlier this time around as the Toffees look to launch a concerted bid for the top four.
Everton midfielder Darron Gibson could be back in contention for Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Arsenal after 10 months on the sidelines. The Irishman, who suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage last October, has steadily built his fitness and is thought to be nearing a return. Right-back Seamus Coleman (hamstring) is also fit after appearing as a late substitute at Leicester last week but striker Arouna Kone (knee) and midfielder Bryan Oviedo (leg) are not yet ready and midfielder Ross Barkley (knee) faces a lengthy lay-off.
Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta will miss the trip to his former club because of an ankle problem. World Cup winners Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil could return to the squad after being given extra time off, as could forward Yaya Sanogo (hamstring) who did not travel in the midweek Champions League play-off away to Besiktas. Full-back Kieran Gibbs (hamstring) remains sidelined, while midfielders Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry continue their recovery from knee problems and will not feature in the Barclays Premier League contest.
PAST THREE MEETINGS…
Everton 3 (Naismith, Lukaku, Arteta og) Arsenal 0, Premier League, April 2014
Arsenal 4 (Ozil, Arteta, Giroud 2) Everton 1 (Lukaku), FA Cup, March 2014
Arsenal 1 (Ozil) Everton 1 (Deulofeu), Premier League, December 2013
Everton’s 3-0 win in April ended a run of 14 games against Arsenal without a win.
Everton haven’t lost to Arsenal in four Premier League games. Prior to that they lost four in a row.
Arsenal thrashed Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park very early in the 2009-10 season.
Aaron Ramsey has scored in four of Arsenal’s last five competitive fixtures.
