Saturday, 9 January 2010, Kick-off: 2300
Emirates Stadium, London
After the late postponement of their midweek fixture at
home to Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal remain a game in hand on the two
sides above them, Manchester United and Chelsea. But the vagaries
of this particular English winter are such that Saturday's
scheduled clash against Everton will, like every other fixture in
the country, be at the mercy of the weather. If it proceeds, the
Gunners will be anxious to maintain the pressure on leaders Chelsea
by taking all three points off the Toffees.
FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
03 Jan: West Ham 1 Arsenal 2 (FA Cup)
30 Dec: Portsmouth 1 Arsenal 4
27 Dec: Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 0
19 Dec: Arsenal 3 Hull City 0
16 Dec: Burnley 1 Arsenal 1
13 Dec: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 2
Everton
02 Jan: Everton 3 Carlisle Utd 1
28 Dec: Everton 3 Burnley 0
26 Dec: Sunderland 1 Everton 1
20 Dec: Everton 1 Birmingham 1
17 Dec: Everton 0 BATE 1 (Europa League)
12 Dec: Chelsea 3 Everton 3
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal - Eduardo
Brazil-born Croatian international striker Eduardo is easing back
to form after his horrendous injury problems. He has probably not
lost his predatory instincts, but has lacked some of his old
sharpness in front of goal following his lengthy lay-off and
struggle to regain full fitness. So Gunners fans will be encouraged
that he is now back among the goals, having struck three times in
his last four games, including a well-placed winning header from
Carlos Vela's cross at West Ham in last Sunday's FA Cup tie.
Everton - Landon Donova
Landon Donovan, who has started a 10-week loan stint
at Goodison, has declared himself fully fit for the Toffees despite
not having played a match for more than a month. Moyes may be
tempted to give him his English debut with other strikers
unavailable. The US international, on loan from LA Galaxy, was
quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "Arsenal are a very good
team playing very well right now... I would hope to play and it
would be a great experience but I'm here to help this team win,
whatever that takes."
PREDICTION
In-form Arsenal have every incentive to win, and the confidence of
having done well against Everton in recent seasons. The improving
Merseysiders can be expected to offer stout resistance, but the
Gunners, even with a depleted squad, should have enough at home to
maintain their push towards the top of the table.
Arsenal 3-1 Everton
