Arsene Wenger’s table-topping Gunners will be back to near-enough full strength having rested a number of key players in midweek against Hull.
The Gunners ran out 2-0 winners at the Emirates as the Tigers crumbled after goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Mesut Ozil. The Dane’s first goal since March 2011 laid the foundations for Arsenal to go 4 points clear at the top of the table – a lead which could be lengthened or shortened by Saturday’s results.
Sunday’s opponents are the League’s draw-masters Everton. With 6 draws from 14 and just 1 loss all season – respectably 3-1 to Man City – the Toffees seem to be the experts at not losing football matches.
Sitting comfortably in 5th, Martinez’s side have conceded just 13 goals this season – a feat equalled only by Southampton and beaten only by a certain side from the Emirates.
However the signs all point towards yet another Arsenal win as the none of the last 12 Premier League games with the Merseysiders have ended in defeat.
Team News
Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Oliver Giroud are all likely to be restored to the first team after the midweek breeze past Hull.
Nicklas Bendtner is likely to drop to the bench despite his goalscoring display, with Frenchman Giroud continuing his fine run of form at the pinnacle of the attack.
Mathieu Flamini is a major doubt having injured his groin on Wednesday, leaving Mikel Arteta to face the side that he made 162 Premiership appearances for. Bacary Sagna will also sit out the clash with a hamstring injury meaning Carl Jenkinson is likely to step up.
Lukas Podolski is back in training following his own hamstring injury, but Yaya Sanogo and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain side-lined.
Everton are without superstar left-back Leighton Baines with a broken toe, along with Antolin Alcaraz, Arouna Kone and Darren Gibson.
The Boss on Everton
Wenger has revealed that he is all too wary of the danger posed by Martinez’s Everton, claiming that there is a huge week ahead:
“He has done remarkably well because they have had some difficult games. They have played many of the big teams in the league and overall are in a very strong position.”
“They have just come out of a win against Manchester United. We are lucky this season a little bit, because there is always a big warning before we play against these teams when they have exceptional results. That keeps us on our toes. We know it is a big game.”
“I don’t think there is a danger [of becoming complacent] because we are hungry, we want to win, and we have just put a few results together that will make us more ambitious, but as well conscious that in every single game you need to put a top-level performance in.”
Expected line-up
Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Flamini; Walcott, Özil, Ramsey; Giroud
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