Everton pre-view: Arsene will demonstrate he still knows what he is doing!

TotalArsenal

A tough away game is just the sort of challenge Arsenal need after a disappointing performance against Villa on Saturday: the perfect game to bounce back again.

Everton are unbeaten at home since March this year, as it was Arsenal who beat them last with a narrow 1-0 win. They are doing well this season, as Moyes has once again put together a team that can beat anyone on the day.

Paradoxically, I have a good feeling about tonight’s game, as it will force the very best out of Arsenal; and that’s when we often perform and get the results we need.

Liverpool is a great city, where people love football. I worked in Liverpool for two years, and nowhere else have I encountered so much respect for both the way Arsenal are managed and the style of football we generally play. Everton is a fine football club and I have been lucky enough to see Arsenal play a number of times at GoodisonPark. I would love to be there tonight, as I am pretty sure it will be a feast of football again.

Everton play attractive football – often in a 4-4-1-1 formation – and will be able to field a strong team tonight. With the likes of Jagielka, Baines and Distin and Howard at the back; Osman, Naismith, Fellaini and Pienaar in the middle; and Jelavic up front, they have a team of good players who could make things difficult for us. Their captain, Phil Neville, is out and his drive and experience might be missed by Everton tonight. Fellaini is having a fine season, and we will see how good he really is when he has to battle with Arteta and Wilshere and co. For me, the jury is still out.

No long pre-view/analysis is required – neither do we have to talk long about tactics: it is all about remembering what it means to play for Arsenal.

Wenger can pick a strong team for tonight’s game, as he was able to rest a few players, and Theo has been judged fit again. So, it is all about getting the best out of our 4-3-3 formation and the associated playing style.

With Theo and Sagna able to start on the right wing, and either Gibbs and Podolski, or Vermaelen and Gervinho, being played on the left wing, we should have plenty of wing-power against Everton. It will make a big difference compared to Saturday’s game.

On top of that we can field Wilshere once again in the lynchpin role, which will allow us to keep our shape a lot better, defend better, and support Cazorla in setting up attacking moves.

Having our wings back and far stronger coordination in the middle will have a transformational impact on our team compared to Saturday’s toothless performance against Villa.

As we all know, Arsene does not do much of game-specific tactical preparation, as he believes in building a team around a system that can deal with everything. He chooses to spend his time on perfecting Arsenal’s system of football rather than adjusting it time and again in accordance with the opponent’s strength and weaknesses. Against Everton we will see how well our system of football can cope in a tricky away fixture.

I reckon, tonight we will see the best of our team: I am sure our boys will do us proud again against Everton. Whether it will lead to a win remains to be seen, as (lack of) luck and refereeing decision might play a role; but perform we will do.

I predict it will either finish in 1-1, or everything might work out for us and we go away with a three goal margin victory (4-1?).

Predicted line-up:

——————Szczesny———————–

Sagna – Mertesacker – Koz – Vermaelen

————-Arteta—Wilshere—————-

—————–Cazorla————————–

Theo————Giroud———–Gervinho

We might also see Gibbs and Podolski starting on the left wing, but my gut feeling tells me Vermaelen starts ahead of Gibbs on the left wing, and Gervinho will start in front of him.

Here is hoping for a performance that makes us proud to be Gooners and three points coming back to Ashburton Groove.

COYRRG!!!!

 

Total Arsenal.

74 thoughts on “Everton pre-view: Arsene will demonstrate he still knows what he is doing!”

  • So he knows what he is doing. Well nothing will satisfy the cynics more than a win over Everton.To be frank the over passing in the final third is causing problems for the gunners.
    Some teams score with three and to five passes at the most. The gunners take an age to shoot .let alone score.
    UUntil this is rectified the gunners will be faced with massed defenders winning games.

  • I’ve watched too many Everton defeats at the hands of Wenger’s Arsenal in the last 7 or 8 years to approach any such game with confidence as a Blue. We’re actually pretty good against the likes of ‘City, Chelsea especially and sometimes even Man U. In fact when you expect Everton to get the least from a match they often turn up trumps, but not agin Arsenal very often though. I disagree about Fellaini, the jury could and should have been out until this season, but absolutely NOT now. He would be a great loss for us but the exact need and gain for Arsenal, he’s precisely the kind of player Wenger likes. He’s big, strong and has great vision and unbelievable control. Moyes reckons Wenger didn’t realise quite how good Arteta was when he got him and we can’t complain about what we had as a result of him finding himself at Everton. I think Wenger wishes he’d taken a punt earlier on Fellaini, ‘cos it’s going to cost a fortune £30 mill to get him, but think Carroll and Torres and that’d be a bargain by comparison. If Mirralles and Gibson remain unfit then Everton will limp along a bit, but those two are brilliant. No Gibson, no functioning Jelavic as far as I see it. I’d take a draw tonight now, but I fear the worst and like all Evertonians pray for a win!!

  • Hi William 🙂

    Arsenal scored 12 goals in the last five games. I don’t think scoring goals is a worry at all. The problems we have are systemic: getting players to gel together tactically and technically, operate effective wing-play and get the right balance and understanding in midfield. Despite what many think, Arsenal have actually made a lot of progress in these areas. The next step is to get the fringe players better embedded into the team / and/or add some new quality in January.

    How do you feel about the game tonight?

  • Hi Ray 🙂

    Thanks for visiting an Arsenal side with a fine and balanced comment.

    Re Fellaini: you are making a strong case for him. I reckon we need a DM at Arsenal and it is with that perspective I was looking at him. I find him very good in the air, but not so sure about his tackling ability/ general defensive play. To be fair, I have not seen him play a lot recently but will study him properly tonight and get back to you!

  • Loverley stuff TA.

    I too have met many scousers. Apart from the ones that would nick from there gran, stanley knife you for your trainers, and rob your house leaving a little present behind,they are a good bunch, love there football and are up for a laugh.

    For the first time this season i am realy curious as to our line up. All the full backs and wide men are fit and with performences not been so great recently, we night see a bit of a shake up.

    i expect us to win. everton are a good side and in form, but we have the quality to beat them. Lets face it, if we manage to get our forward players involved we should have too much for them, anyway, we will see.

  • How come they score more goals than most if your view is correct ? Massed derfences are a fact of life for the likes of Arsenal. What would always help is an early goal to make the opposition come out amd play. Then you will see what they can do.

  • Hi Total…Fine pre-match, but leave Saturdays to the professional OZ. (lol)

    A bit of a strange one tonight. As Terry points out most of our first squad are fit and available for selection.Not sure how we will perform after that dismal display against AV. We need to come out of the traps like an express train and play with a high tempo.

    I don’t consider Diaby and Rosicky any more, as they are sick notes, in the same league as Darren Anderton, or maybe worse.

    I find most scouser football fans to be jovial and friendly. They are knowledgeable and extremely passionate about their football.

    I was lucky to obtain a Cup Final ticket in 1971 to watch us beat Liverpool. The only problem was, It was up the Liverpool end. Being passionate about My Arsenal I decided to go and soak up the atmosphere. After we equalised I felt chuffed, but refrained from cheering and celebrating, so as not to give my identity away. Well you can imagine how I felt when Charlie cropped up with that fantastic strike. I forgot myself and in the midst of excitement I went berserk. After calming down and then realising what Id done I thought, Oh dear…….I needn’t have worried, as they were complete gentlemen and took it on the chin. I never had so much as a verbal abuse or anything. Its a story I tell many opposing football fans.

    However, it was a completely different story when I was at Wembley to see us win against the scum 3-2. That Alan Sunderland goal still sends shivers down my spine. Another reason for me to hate them.

  • TA, a super pre-match Post going into exquisite detail. I loved it!! 🙂

    We are so lucky to have both you and Oz writing such top quality stuff. You are both so different in your approach but that gives a wider aspect that keeps us asking for more.

    The sorcerer and the apprentice! 😀

  • By the way, TA, I heard a rumour that Terrynutkins is going to produce a Post soon.

    I hope we will be given sufficient notice so that we will be ready for the read the instant it is published. 😀

  • No doubt Terry will include a section on the mesmeric effect of having a bendy telescope, just to bug the Glicster! 🙂

    Hold on — Saturday is Oz with his upside down pre-match, and Sunday will be you with your usual cracking post match report.

    Maybe our handsome tyro will be writing a Post for us and a love letter for Mrs Terry ( 😆 ) for the Monday!!

  • I am disappointed that I may not be able to see the game tonight.

    Bitscores, the site I usually watch seems to be having problems, as there is no access, at least at the moment!! 😦

  • Great pre match Total 🙂

    I dont watch the games live on TV, too much stress, so I hide behind the sofa instead ! . hahaha
    The only games I watch live are when I come up for a supposedly easy game at the Emirates. I have a good record though, I have seen 13 games, 12 wins and 1 loss !. With that record, If I went to every league game in a season we would win the league !.
    So are you lot prepared to club together and pay for me to see all the games, how much are you willing to pay for a title ?. hahaha
    Just finished the septic tank repairs about an hour ago. I have a throbbing finger after cacthing it with a hammer, the air turned blue to match the blue skies !. I also managed to break a drain pipe coupling and the air turned blue again, the steam has stopped coming out of my head and I`m now calm. I only have to back fill it all now and will finish it tomorrow ( I took a day off work , so wont be going to see the nice Orcs ! ), so a nice win tonight will take all of todays aggravations away, but I fear, ” The night of a steaming throbbing finger ” , will rear it`s ugly head !. 😥

  • TA,

    It would be ironic if people like Oz, far flung fans, [sounds like a chinese name] and Glic in deepest Cornwall, are able to watch it, while us normal ones cannot!!! 😦 😦

    They should be debagged!!!

  • I would like my fellow Bergkampequer`s opinion on Michel Pratini`s idea to do away with the Europa League and up the CL from 32 teams to 64 teams, a decision will be made in 2014 !.

    My first thought is yes and can you make it for next season as I dont think we will qualify without the expansion !.
    I know you lot are a lot more deep thinking than me ( a deep think for me is, how far will I have to shove my finger up my dog`s arse `till the throbbing goes away ! hahaha ) so what are the +`s and -`s .

  • No Podolski at all!

    Everton Team
    Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Gibson, Jagielka, Naismith, Distin, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic.

    Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Barkley, Vellios.

    Arsenal Team
    Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Wilshere, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud.

    Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Coquelin, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho.

  • I vote No.

    You could end up with the team who finishes 6th in the Premiership winning the Champions league. Mockery.

  • Pod must be injured !. From my theory earlier, I think Verm is another one he is too scared to drop !. We have an established proper LB on the bench !.

  • And one of the “Sick note twins” is on the bench, hope he comes back as Tomas is a top footballer , very energetic , high tempo and involved.

  • Thanks for the pre-match TA, perfect lead up to the match.Come on Arsenal! Virus apparently for Podolski.

    What the hell happened????? JESUS!!!!!
    Sign up you jerk

  • It is ridiculous RA. How on earth we can get every match live in oz, yet you can’t in your own country

  • That should not be happening at that level so early on into a game. Yes it’s cold but 1) he’s a professional and should know how to adequately warm up. 2) The person in charge of warming up the troops needs to do better

  • oi TA stop blogging during the game, it’s not your style. I’m happy talking to myself, my tool to keep me awake at 4 in the morning

  • Positives? We didn’t win but we played well and should have won, we created enough chances to win. Theo took his chance well! Even if there was a deflection. If boycheck had his angles sorted Felleni doesn’t score. I disagree with VCC I thought our passing and movement was massively better than against the villains. We lacked a little spark in the final 3rd and therefore it was a fair result, it’s something to build on. A point away from home against a team above us in the league, I’m reasonably happy.

  • According to arsenal.com Kozzer has a groin injury. Still waiting on updates. Fingers crossed because he was finding top form again

  • Good morning all 🙂

    Thanks for update, Oz. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more injuries to come from that game. It was such a fast and furious battle last night that we have to see how the bodies will respond today.

    Richie, good summary. ‘Reasonably happy’ is the best description.

    We matched them energy and determination wise, and that’s the main reason we were not beaten last night. My stream was not very good and I struggled to recognise the players, so it is hard to comment on the game in tactical detail. We made a significant change to our structure and style of play; and the players struggled with keeping composure and shape, as Everton never allowed us to settle. But what I loved about our team was our hunger and willingness to battle till the last minute.

    A draw at Everton is of course not a bad result at all, and had we won at Villa we would be saying that now. But we did not win at Villa and so we really needed three points. It is disappointing that we did not get them, but very encouraging that we battled so hard for them.

  • Good morning, TA, 🙂

    Could not watch last night for the first time in 2 years, but depending on which blog I read it was either dire, or not bad. Que??

  • Hi Redders 🙂

    It was a cup final sort of game. Dire, it was definitely not. Wenger changed his formation and it did not really pay off over 90 minutes – although the start could not have been sweeter. The boys worked their socks off and never gave up, and for that alone I am, just like Richie, reasonably happy. 😕 🙂

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