Premier League Preview: Arsenal vs. Everton

By Joe Prince-WrightOct 23, 2015, 12:34 PM EDT
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  • No win in 21 away at Arsenal for Everton
  • 4 draws in last 6 PL encounters
  • Sanchez has 10 goals in last 7 games

Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (Watch live, 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC and online via Live Extra) with the Gunners knowing a win will take them to the top of the Premier League.

Granted they could be replaced by Manchester City or United following their derby on Sunday, but Arsene Wenger‘s side have recovered well in recent weeks after enduring a shaky start to the season. The north London club have won three-straight games, scoring eight goals and conceding zero in the process, as they’ve impressively swept aside Manchester United, Watford and Bayern Munich ahead of Everton’s visit.

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As for the Toffees, inconsistency has been their Achilles heel this season, as they’ve beaten the likes of Chelsea and Southampton and dominated Liverpool in a derby draw but last time out they were beaten 3-0 at home by Man United. It’s hard to know what to expect from Roberto Martinez’s side.

In team news, we know that Aaron Ramsey will be out injured for up to month, as the midfielder joins Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky, David Opsina and Mikel Arteta on the treatment table. Everton have Tom Cleverely and Steven Pienaar back in the mix but this game could come too soon for both of the midfielders.

What they’re saying

Wenger says Walcott is first-choice striker: “It is always hard. They are top players. I consider the form, the game on the day. At the end of the season both will have played their share of games but at the moment it is Theo. In a few weeks, it might be Giroud. What is important is that both contribute.”

Martinez believes Mirallas could have big impact: “Kevin has been very unfortunate from the start of this season. He had little niggles and a couple of knocks, then the sending-off at Swansea was very harsh and kept him out of three games. In different moments in your career there are little spells where, for one reason or another, you cannot get any momentum. But I expect Kevin to discover that momentum and have a massive say in our performances ahead. He brings a unique goalscoring threat that you always need in your side and he’s going to be very positive.”

Prediction

This game is pretty difficult to predict as both sides have been rather inconsistent this season. You’d have to say that the Gunners will be the favorites given their run of three wins on the spin. Everton will make this tough, but Arsenal’s extra firepower will pull them through. 3-1 to Wenger’s side.