Arsenal v Everton Preview

Arsenal v Everton, Saturday 8th March 12.45pm, FA Cup 6th Round, Emirates Stadium, ITV1



FA Cup 6th Round:

Arsenal v Everton
Sheffield Utd v Charlton
Hull v Sunderland
Man C v Wigan


FA Cup most realistic option for Arsenal as Everton aim to end London blues

It's one of those weeks, again. Three games, three competitions - each game as important as the last. After the visit of Everton on Saturday in the FA Cup, a trip to Germany to face Bayern Munich follows a north London derby. The fixtures don't get easier after that, either. Games against Chelsea, Swansea and Manchester City complete Arsenal's March. Half of those games are at home, and Arsène Wenger is confident the team will perform. "We are strong at the Emirates and we have another opportunity to show that," the manager said on Friday morning.

With Arsenal four points behind in the Premier League, and a horrendous schedule around the corner, the FA Cup, arguably, represents the club's best chance of silverware.

Everton have enjoyed yet another strong campaign, with the team flourishing under new coach Roberto Martínez. The Blues lost just one of their first 17 League games this season and have switched from the conservative approach under former manager David Moyes to a more expansive style under the current Spanish boss.

However, Everton have lost 3 of their last 5 League games - The Toffees haven't won away from home, in the League, since December - but have one of the strongest home records in the country, losing just once so far. Everton's drew 1-1 at Arsenal this season, but have lost their last two visits, versus Spurs and Chelsea. Wins against QPR, Stevenage and Swansea have got Everton through to Saturday's FA Cup 6th Round. Given Everton's decreasing hopes of a top-four finish, Martínez's men have little to lose in what should be an exciting clash at the Emirates on Saturday.

Match Facts

* Arsenal and Everton have only met three times before in the FA Cup with the last time being in 1981. The Toffees have won twice (1910 & 1981) and Arsenal once (1928).

* Everton have won none of their last 19 away games against Arsenal in all competitions (W0 D4 L15), but have drawn the last two visits.

* Arsenal are unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium in their last 13 matches in domestic competition, winning 10 and drawing three.

* The Gunners have conceded just three goals in their last 13 domestic games at the Emirates, but Everton were one of those scorers in a 1-1 draw in the Premier League in December 2013.

* Mesut Ӧzil’s last goal for Arsenal came in the 1-1 draw against Everton back on December 8th 2013.

* Arsenal have progressed in 10 of their last 11 quarter finals, the exception being their last one in 2011 when they lost 0-2 to Manchester United.

* Arsenal have only lost two home FA Cup ties under Arsene Wenger in 39 matches (W27 D10 L2); against Leeds in Round 4 in 1997 and versus Blackburn last season in Round 5.

* Lukas Podolski has scored four goals in four FA Cup appearances for the Gunners.

* Everton have only won one of their last 10 FA Cup matches away from home against a fellow top flight team (W1 D4 L5).


Team News

Arsenal

Koscielny (hamstring) & Monreal (ankle) are doubtful, but Wilshere (foot), Walcott (knee) & Diaby (knee) are definitely out. Källström (back) & Ramsey (thigh) will return next weekend.

Everton

Jagielka (hamstring), Traoré (hamstring), Oviedo (leg), Koné (knee) & Gibson (knee) are all unavailable, but Alcaraz (muscle) returns.


Arsenal XI: Fabiański - Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Gibbs - Arteta Flamini - Chamberlain Özil Cazorla - Giroud

Bench: Szczęsny, Koscielny, Monreal, Rosický, Gnabry, Podolski, Sanogo

Everton XI: Robles - Coleman Stones Distin Baines - McCarthy Barry - Mirallas Barkley Pienaar - Lukaku

Bench: Howard, Alcaraz, Hibbert, Osman, Deulofeu, McGeady, Naismith

  

Good stuff man


There is no point of thinking about Bayern or the league. Both are done bar a Ramsey Miracle. FA Cup is the most attainable target at this point and we really need to give our all tomorrow. No other way to put it.

Can see Arsene starting Sanogo tomorrow. Won't mind that. But Whoever starts should be giving their all.

Everton will play like the way they did against us in the league. High pressing. Arteta-Flamini might be helpful here.

Hoping for a win and no replay.

This game can make or brake our season, I hope the boys will be up for it this time. I fear the worst; I hate early kick offs.


COME ON ARSENAL!

Excellent work Sam

Kos gonna be a huge miss vs Lukaku

we should offer counter attacking threat otherwise they will push up with their full backs high and we could see same story again although they were naive with their final ball that last game

Lets do this
COYG

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Sanogo.

I hope this Sanogo experiment finally pays off, because it hasn't so far.

Good team
2 runners+Santi who should help us in midfield battle

COYG

Sanogo

This is our best chance of winning a trophy this season.
We can!
C'mon Arsenal!!!

Dat dreaded Flamini and Arteta partnership   

Göalzil.

Need to keep the ball better when we have it, thats twice we have been caught on the counter attack when attacking

Need a second goal before half time, come on ARSENAL !!!

So far so good just have to score the 2nd goal and be disciplined at the back.

Flamini booked   

Is Almunia playing on goal for Everton   

All that came about because we lost the ball high up the pitch   

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............

Arsenal are so useless from freekicks and corners.

It's gung-ho Arsenal back again, with our lack of firepower in attack I expect Everton to score again rather than us. I hope to be proved wrong though.

Good game overall
our midfield can be jokes at transition defence at times argh

good old Arsenal loads of space given to opponents despite taking the lead

Arteta clearly not suited to his role thats when you wish we had 2 chambos

our 3 attacking mids have done well if only they had a striker on the same level as them!

Disappointed that we conceded that goal, the warning signs were there before we conceded. We lost the ball twice and it resulted into a counter attack. Arteta should have been more disciplined and stayed back, he kept pushing forward and left Flamini isolated in midfield.

tbf he has performed his role well
but someone more mobile and energetic to get up and down the pitch easier and have some actual recovery pace and efficiency in final 3rd would have done wonders
cough Aaron cough

Also Flamini, big mouth for a player who's playing like shit! Get him off for Rosicky and play Ox in the middle.

Sagna's crossing is has been horrendous   

Vermaelen is time ticking bomb at back   

Where was the support for Ozil, he carried that a good 40 yard yet there was hardly anyone near him

creating chances but need to finish them