Sunday’s game against Everton presents Arsenal with the opportunity to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points. Both teams are coming into the clash off the back of midweek wins. Arsenal comfortably dispatched Hull City 2-0, whilst Everton heaped more pressure onto David Moyes with a somewhat surprising 1-0 win over Manchester United.
The visitors come into the game in good confidence. Everton are currently riding a seven game unbeaten run in the league – their last loss coming against Manchester City at the Etihad – and have only lost one Premier League game all season. Much like Arsenal, Everton have been very solid at the back in recent games – only conceding in one of their last six games. It seems as if this Everton side haven’t lost the resiliency instilled by former manager David Moyes, yet have added the panache and technical ability of new boss Roberto Martinez and look a really good team moving forward. This is something Arsene Wenger eluded to in his pre-match press conference.
“Everton have kept a good defensive stability from the years before plus they have added some spark and creativity offensively.” – Arsene Wenger
Their biggest threat comes in the form of on-loan Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. The 19 year old has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 8 goals in 10 games, and Arsenal will have to be at their best to keep him from scoring on Sunday.
If Everton come into the game confident, Arsenal come into it jubilant. Another win midweek – albeit against Hull – keeps the lead at the top of the table ticking over. Where Everton have one main source for goals, Arsenal have a myriad. The midfield of Arsenal in particular is where the majority of their games have been won this season. Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Özil are taking the campaign by storm. The former has 13 goals in all competitions whilst the latter has 8 assists. If the midfield is the engine room of a team, Arsenal currently have a V8 driving them towards a Premier League title.
Having said that, Sunday provides Arsenal with a really tough test. Both defences are very solid. It will not be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination. But, if the hosts are able to escape with a victory, it really does continue to raise their title credentials. A seven point lead going into a tricky game against Man City next week would give a nice cushion that allows for a possible slip-up next week.
Whatever happens, it should be a good game. Both teams like to ‘get it down and pass’. I’ll predict an Arsenal win. Just.
Having a bet on the game? Why not follow our suggested tips…
ARSENAL TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE – 23/10: Arsenal come into the game as favourites. And rightly so, they top the league. But it is definitely going to be a close one. Both have kept clean sheets for fun recently, they are due to concede a few, right? BET ON THIS MARKET
OLIVIER GIROUD TO SCORE FIRST – 19/4: Olivier Giroud sat out of Arsenal’s game against Hull. He’ll be fit and raring to go to take on the Toffees on Sunday. Let’s hope you are left with a sweet taste in your mouth if you back him to score first. BET ON THIS MARKET
MESUT ÖZIL TO BE THE HIGHEST RATED PLAYER ON WHOSCORED.COM – 7/1: Mesut Özil is statistically a fantastic player. It feels like he always completes the most key passes in a game and is there or thereabouts when it comes to assists. And with odds at 7/1, you can’t go wrong. BET ON THIS MARKET
