Arsenal FC
Everton FC
Everton FC
Arsenal and Everton clash in poor form with just one win from last nine games combined
Arsenal 2-2 Everton
Arsenal and Everton are two clubs whose league season appears to be ending with a whimper rather than a bang.
While the Gunners remain in the Europa League, and play their semi final next week, that form has not translated to the domestic situation, and they have been drifting around mid-table for much of the season.
They have just one win from their last four games and were arguably lucky to earn a point from Fulham last weekend. Here, they at least have the incentive of going ahead of Everton with a win.
The Toffees are certainly in a poor spell of form themselves, having gone five games without victory, including two defeats during that period.
With their game in hand, they can still go just a single point behind Liverpool, and three off the top four. They also have one of the kindest run in schedules over the next month or so, although it doesn’t always work out that way.
Form Guide (all comps): LDWWD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Unbeaten in their last 24 home games against Everton
Have lost just twice in their last 12 games in all competitions
Reasons to be fearful:
Forwards Aubameyang and Lacazette are ruled out
Have kept just three clean sheets at home all season
Unlike their opponents, Arsenal have at least had the benefit of playing in the Europa League this season to distract them, and their fans, from what has been one of the worst league campaigns in their recent history.
They have reached the semi finals of that tournament, and it’s undoubtedly their only chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season should they go all the way and win the competition.
Unfortunately, when the weekend comes around and they line up in the Premier League, they haven’t managed to pull together any type of consistency. They’ve beaten the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea this season, but have been poor for the rest of it.
Their incentive here is to go above Everton with a win, although they will have to do that without their two senior strikers, who are out with injury and illness respectively.
Star Man – Bukayo Saka
Is consistently one of Arsenal’s better performers, but hasn’t scored in the league in nine appearances.
Form Guide (all comps): LLDDD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns after injury, as well as Mina, Bernard and Gomes
Everton won this fixture earlier in the season
Reasons to be fearful:
Poor away record against Arsenal
Have looked like a side whose season is fizzling out
Long gone are the days when Everton topped the Premier League table back near the start of the season, when they looked a side who could take on anyone and feel confident of getting a result.
Unfortunately, that high has not continued and they’ve spent the past few months trying to halt an inevitable decline to where they are now, 8th with a game in hand.
They have a dreadful record away to Arsenal, having not won on the previous 24 occasions on their travels. Arsenal’s 98 wins over Everton is the most by one team against another in the top division.
At least they will have top scorer Calvert-Lewin back here, having missed the last two games through injury. He hasn’t kept up his terrific scoring record from the start of the season, but he still poses a real threat up front.
Star Man – Gylfi Sigurdsson
Has been involved in five goals in his last five appearances.
Should be an even game of football
Teams could be lacking confidence
Could be goals at both ends
With neither of these teams showing the best form recently, it’s likely that they will enter this contest with their confidence damaged.
Arsenal at least have the morale-boosting Europa League journey under their belts, but we’ve seen this season that this has counted for little in the league.
With a close contest at hand, a draw could be the most likely result.
Arsenal 2-2 Everton
