Arsenal and Everton will battle it out at The Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night in a bid to establish authority on who is stealing those 2 available Champions League places in 3rd and 4th in the Premier League. A win for Arsenal would see them maintain 3rd spot but with a 4 point advantage over 4th-lying Chelsea. A win for the Blues would mean staying in the same position but with the same points as aforementioned Chelsea in 4th and Tottenham in 5th.
Team News
After Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar returned from suspension against QPR, Everton boss David Moyes has a full bill of health for the first time this season, although Tony Hibbert will still not be match fit and won’t travel with the squad. It was revealed that Moyes risked playing Leon Osman through injury against QPR though, so there might be a small injury worry for the ever-present midfielder.
Leon Osman to miss out?
As for Arsenal, boss Arsene Wenger is another manager to have a near fully fit squad, with Abou Diaby being the only player that will definitely miss the game through injury. German international Per Mertesacker will return from suspension but there are doubts over current number 1 Łukasz Fabiański and Tomáš Rosický though and late fitness tests will be given for both.
Threats
Santi Cazorla has played in every Premier League game this season, a stat that shows just how key his is to the Arsenal side. With 12 goals and 7 assists, a major determining factor in the game will be if Everton give him space between the defence and the midfield.
Cazorla to be the main man?
Olivier Giroud is another summer acquisition by Gunners boss Wenger and although he started off slowly, he now has 17 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season. For his first season in the Premier League, he has done well and can only be expected to get better. His hold up and bringing others into play really are something to watch out for.
Predicted Arsenal Line Up
Fabiański
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal
Arteta Wilshere
Gervinho Cazorla Ramsey
Giroud
Predicted Everton Line Up
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Gibson Osman
Mirallas Fellaini Pienaar
Anichebe
Match Officials
Referee: Mr N Swarbrick
Assistant Referee: Mr G Beswick
Assistant Referee: Mr L Betts
Fourth Official: Mr K Friend