Arsenal vs Everton Match Preview
15th April By Jeff @ArsenalTrend
Europe will be on the minds of both managers as Arsenal take on Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening 15th April 2013. Arsenal (17-8-7) are currently third in the Premier League table with 59 points - one more than London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham. Everton (14-13-5) are in sixth place - only four points behind the Gunners - and have joined the late-season race to secure a top-four finish and entry into next season's lucrative Champions League. In-form Arsenal have won their last four Premier League matches and picked up 21 of a possible 24 points in recent weeks.
The Gunners rallied from a goal down to score three goals in the last five minutes and beat Norwich City 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger hailed his side's grit and determination to secure their comeback victory against the Canaries, but warned they must keep on winning to secure their place in Europe. "We knew Norwich were strong on set-pieces and they punished us," Wenger told reporters after the match. "After that we needed spirit and we needed as well nerves. We have shown both I think and in the end got a win we deserved. "At the moment, the position is not important, has no real meaning, what is important for us is to keep our run going and the consistency of our wins. We have another big game on Tuesday night and have a good opportunity that we want to take."
Everton (14-13-5) claimed their fourth win in five league matches Saturday when they beat bottom-club Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at home with goals either side of half-time from Darron Gibson and Victor Anichebe. David Moyes' future as Everton manager has been the subject of much media speculation in recent weeks. His current contract with the Merseyside club expires at the end of season, and the 49-year-old Scot has said recently that European qualification will play a big factor in deciding whether or not he signs a new deal with the Toffees.
Moyes was pleased with Everton's victory against QPR but remains cautious about the Toffees' chances of finishing in the top four. "It's a really important three points, I was worried about today's game." Moyes said in his comments to reporters after the match. "QPR have a lot to play for but they are nearly getting to a situation where there's not much to play for. "I think if we beat Arsenal in midweek we can talk about the Champions League but if we lose we are more talking about trying, if possible, to finish in that Europa League place."
While Everton have been a dominant force at home this season - suffering just one defeat in 17 league matches - Moyes' side have struggled at times away from Goodison. The Toffees have won only four of 15 away Premier League games this term and are winless in their last four road matches. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in November. England forward Theo Walcott gave the Gunners the lead after just 57 seconds, before Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini equalized for the Merseysiders on the half-hour. Arsenal have won 12 of their last 14 home matches against Everton played in all competitions. There have been 187 previous matches between the two sides, with Arsenal winning 94 and Everton 54. The other 39 games were drawn.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants the Arsenal now to stamp their authority on the race for the Champions League places and also praised the team's fighting team spirit in the last game to beat Norwich from a goal down he said :
"That typifies us at the moment. We really have built that team spirit, solidarity and winning mentality. We never give up until it's over,”
"We just want to win every game that comes our way. That's the best way to put pressure on the teams around us. We can't worry about what they're doing and what their results are. We can only control our own results.
"We looked after that against Norwich and now it will be another tough game against Everton on Tuesday.
“You can't get caught up looking around at other teams in the table. You have to concentrate on yourselves and on the next match because it can all change very quickly.
"We have to focus on each game as it comes and Everton is another big one for us and another good opportunity for us to stamp our authority.”
Arsene Wenger wants the players to carry on with the form and looks for a strong finish to the Premier League.
“At the moment the position is not important,” Wenger was quoted after the match. “What is important is to keep our run going.
“At the moment, the team that is the most consistent will get there. We have the most consistency.
“Finishing in the top four is a question of nerve. Today was a balance of nerves, quality and intelligence. We didn’t do anything stupid when we were 1-0 down. That side of the game is important.
Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest. Will we finish 3rd at the end of the season? What are your score predictions for the game?
Match Date 16.04.2013
The Gunners rallied from a goal down to score three goals in the last five minutes and beat Norwich City 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger hailed his side's grit and determination to secure their comeback victory against the Canaries, but warned they must keep on winning to secure their place in Europe. "We knew Norwich were strong on set-pieces and they punished us," Wenger told reporters after the match. "After that we needed spirit and we needed as well nerves. We have shown both I think and in the end got a win we deserved. "At the moment, the position is not important, has no real meaning, what is important for us is to keep our run going and the consistency of our wins. We have another big game on Tuesday night and have a good opportunity that we want to take."
Moyes was pleased with Everton's victory against QPR but remains cautious about the Toffees' chances of finishing in the top four. "It's a really important three points, I was worried about today's game." Moyes said in his comments to reporters after the match. "QPR have a lot to play for but they are nearly getting to a situation where there's not much to play for. "I think if we beat Arsenal in midweek we can talk about the Champions League but if we lose we are more talking about trying, if possible, to finish in that Europa League place."
While Everton have been a dominant force at home this season - suffering just one defeat in 17 league matches - Moyes' side have struggled at times away from Goodison. The Toffees have won only four of 15 away Premier League games this term and are winless in their last four road matches. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in November. England forward Theo Walcott gave the Gunners the lead after just 57 seconds, before Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini equalized for the Merseysiders on the half-hour. Arsenal have won 12 of their last 14 home matches against Everton played in all competitions. There have been 187 previous matches between the two sides, with Arsenal winning 94 and Everton 54. The other 39 games were drawn.
"That typifies us at the moment. We really have built that team spirit, solidarity and winning mentality. We never give up until it's over,”
"We just want to win every game that comes our way. That's the best way to put pressure on the teams around us. We can't worry about what they're doing and what their results are. We can only control our own results.
"We looked after that against Norwich and now it will be another tough game against Everton on Tuesday.
“You can't get caught up looking around at other teams in the table. You have to concentrate on yourselves and on the next match because it can all change very quickly.
"We have to focus on each game as it comes and Everton is another big one for us and another good opportunity for us to stamp our authority.”
Arsene Wenger wants the players to carry on with the form and looks for a strong finish to the Premier League.
“At the moment the position is not important,” Wenger was quoted after the match. “What is important is to keep our run going.
“At the moment, the team that is the most consistent will get there. We have the most consistency.
“Finishing in the top four is a question of nerve. Today was a balance of nerves, quality and intelligence. We didn’t do anything stupid when we were 1-0 down. That side of the game is important.
Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest. Will we finish 3rd at the end of the season? What are your score predictions for the game?
