Arsenal v Everton – Can the Gunners weakened defence keep a clean sheet?
After a rather disappointing trip to Greece, Arsenal play host to Everton in the Barclays Premier League. A win will see the Gunners back in the top four and with Chelsea up against Man City on Monday, they are most likely to stay there.
Arsenal are truly in a red-hot run of form at the moment, winning six of their last seven league games. Moreover, the Gunners have a great record against Everton. Arsenal have won 13 of their last 15 league games against David Moyes’ side and are unbeaten in their last eight meetings.
Thanks to the dismal form of Louis Saha and Tim Cahill so far this season, the Toffees have a serious problem going forward. But with wholesale changes in the Arsenal backline, it won’t be surprising to see them causing a few problems.
One particular cause for concern is the right-back position. Johann Djourou had a disastrous game against Olympiakos and I really don’t know how he’s going to deal with the likes of Royston Drenthe and Leighton Baines. If Everton are gonna pose any sort of threat, it will be from the right.
We can expect to see a very entertaining game of football with Arsenal dominating possession and creating chance after chance. However, the Toffees will surely have a chance or two of their own and will look to target Johann Djourou on the right. The good news is that Robin Van Persie will lead the attack after a week’s rest.
Team news:
The Gunners will be without Brazilian full-back Andre Santos who suffered an ankle injury in the Champions League clash against Olympiakos. Goalkeepers Lukasz Fabianski (knee) and Vito Mannone (shoulder) were also injured during that game and are both ruled out, which means Manuel Almunia will be on the bench (oh boy!). As expected, Abou Diaby is injured yet again. It’s the Frenchman’s hamstring this time.
Thomas Vermaelen will cover for the injured Santos at left-back and Johann Djourou will continue on the right. Per Mertesacker will partner Laurent Koscielny at the centre of defence. The midfield and attack will be the same from the side that trashed the Latics last weekend.
As for Everton, David Moyes will be without England international Jack Rodwell who picked up a hamstring problem in training. Veteran midfielder Leon Osman and Real Madrid loanee Royston Drenthe will have late fitness tests. However, striker Louis Saha returns from a minor thigh injury.
Prediction:
3-1 to Arsenal. As much as I’d love to say 3-0, I really don’t see us keeping a clean sheet.
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Another idiotic decision of AW. Keep Verm in the centre with Mert that’s necessary for the stability of the team. Let Kos continue on the right and put Miquel on LB. The boy is solid and deserves a chance, he defends better than Santos.
What a decision to play Santos in Greece, my God!! And with the salary he gets he is not even requested any accountability for these disastrous decisions.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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I think that we’re forgetting that coquelin can play at right back. So Kos and Per at the heart and Verm at Left back is also an option. Coq may not be made for that position but he can’t be worse than JD right???
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Koscielny – Per – TV – Miquel
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Miquel Vermalaen Mertasacker Koscielny
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Why the F are Almunia and Squillaci appearing in the squad sheet for the game vs Everton!! Oh that’s right… Too many injuries, and little depth in quality within the current squad… as highlighted by the game vs Olympiacos… C’mon Arsene, time to bolster the squad in January!!!
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We now have an Henry and Adams bronze statue… does that mean we can also have a Squillaci and Almunia Pinata????
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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i think there is a possibility of moving alex song back in central defence with per. Verm on left and Kos on right and maybe give frimpong a chance to be a beast in the center.
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nice article keep up.long live arsenal
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We are talking about Everton football club here. So the answer to this ridiculous question is…. Does a bear shit in the woods..?? Arsenal for Life
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The defense has weakened if numbers are considered. Quality wise we still have a great defense but it is all risky, because we have to play all our center backs. Koscielny, Per, Thomas and Ignasi for me.
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I don`t want to put the mockers on the Gunners but if Wenger plays Djourou at right back and we lose (not through Djourou`s fault) we could find ourselves on the slide again before Christmas. I`m quite confident we will not lose but if we do Wenger and Djourou will take the rap.
If he plays Koscieny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen and Miquel and we lose he might be forgiven. Having said all that Djourou will have blinder…..Arsenal 3-1
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why not use either Song or Coquelin at CB both can play there
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am worried bout next week than this week;that left side wud b a weakness for us.that wud expose with silva or cashri or adam johnson on that flank.bt the most likely from wenger words,he wud put tv5 there.n probably djourou at the right with kos n mer at the middle.it jst geting better n nw tv5 gonna b change to the left.ooh wenger.two right back n two left back is injured.why nt put miquel in the left??i dnt like squid n djourou.bt hpefuly a clean sheet,no injuries and 3 point for us.
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what the f%-#+!!!
almunia n squid back to the squad??that is a totaly disaster,cus the team wil lose their cnfidence.these guys evntho sat on the bench mkes the team weak ;D haha.im meaan. ohh wenger ohh wenger,sometimes ur tactics n transfer style questions me.no doubt u dveloped young players into stars bt there stil some part of u n these board managent questions me up.please bring back the title to north london ” arsenal COYG!!
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Happy 125 Years Anniversary ARSENAL. LONG LIVE ARSENAL THE KINGS OF LONDON. THE RED ARMY. IN ARSENE WE TRUST IN ARSENAL WE TRUST. ARSENAL TILL WE DIE.
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Happy 125 Years Anniversary ARSENAL. LONG LIVE ARSENAL THE KINGS OF LONDON. THE RED ARMY. IN ARSENE WE TRUST IN ARSENAL WE TRUST. ARSENAL TILL WE DIE.
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If we play song in a CB as some people suggest then we are done for.
He is the only player that consistently tracks back from midfield and that is where we have problems because our midfield just leaves the defense exposed on too many occasions.
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We’re unfortunate to have injuries – Wenger will deal with it
Some questionable fans? – Well deal with it
A clean sheet important? No not really a win is! Deal with it!
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With rotation of defence could be a worry attack we will score. IT will be a close game TRUST ME . Everton have only let 3 or more goals in away from home in 5 of their last 50 matches or so. At the Emirates its always a close game between these to so Arsenal will have to be at their best to win this one.
Arsenal 2 Everton 0
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Hello fellow gooners. Of course we can keep a clean sheet against Everton! We should field this XI : Szczesny, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermalean, Miquel, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho. With a subs bench of : Almunia ( hence Mannone and Fabianski are injured), Djourou, Frimpong, Rosicky, Arshavin, Benayoun, Chamakh. Elz. Gooner till I die.
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koscieny…..per-matersekar…..vamealean……miguel..
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Injuries! Injuries! Injuries! Frightening. But the way I see it, it is indeed a blessing in disguise that these challenges are coming up at this very point in time. A greater blessing that RvP has thankfully been spared. These injuries once again show how vulnerable we are and will continue to be unless our darling AW goes into the market this January, not for a temporary quick fix but to bring in quality stuff. It is inconceivable for AW not to bring in people during the January transfer window. How refreshing it would be to see him bring in either or both of Goetze and Podolsky in addition to a couple more in the defensive department.
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Song/Coquelin RB Verm CB Kos CB Miquel LB
Makes sense
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Come on guys our first team last season consist of squillaci and almunia and we were on top of the league for much of the season. this season they’re on the bench. champions?
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@Red DB, not if we play Frimpong in front of Song in DM. Frimpong is a hard worker and not many get past him. I would prefer it though if we kept Per and Verm in CB, Kos RB and Miquel LB. That is probably the most stable formation we can forge atm.
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We’re unfortunate to have injuries – Wenger will deal with it
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he is responsible for these injuries!!! Playing santos in a meaningless match and he is the only fit FB we had???
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COYG!
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@ Alex
Yes i agree Wenger should’ve left Santos out of the Olympiakos match, but we got the 1-0 victory over Everton. I guess easier to say in hindsight as a reply to your comment, but as Wenger does……He deals with it!
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