Another weekend brings another crunch match for Arsenal as the Gunners prepare to take on Everton on Sunday. The team will make the journey to Merseyside to play an Everton team that is Arsenal´s nearest threat in the fight for fourth place and qualification to the Champions League.
Manager Arsene Wenger has made it clear that the players will fight for the title until it is impossible to win, but the gaffer must also look over his shoulder and secure 4th place in the Premier League. Everton represent a strong challenge and have been on a roll of late, with home advantage also giving the Toffees confidence.
The Arsenal players will know that success on Sunday will all but secure fourth place and they can then concentrate on finishing as high as possible. A loss would be disastrous, placing Everton just one point behind with a game in hand, with their fate in their own hands. In such a high stakes situation, Wenger could be forgiven for being happy with a draw.
Form suggests Everton will fancy their chances against an Arsenal team that has been missing Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, and Aaron Ramsay of late. However, when Arsenal welcomed Everton to the Emirates for the FA Cup just a few weeks ago, the Gunners run out comfortable 4-1 winners. Wenger will be hoping for the same kind of result on Sunday, but much will depend on the supply to Olivier Giroud who has cut a lonely figure up front in recent weeks.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez will expect a better display than that FA Cup collapse, and the Spaniard has brought sexy football to the Toffees; so much so he is being touted as the next Barcelona manager. Romelu Lukaku will be a danger for the Blues, as will the ever dynamic and classy looking Ross Barkley.
This will certainly be a tough test for Arsenal, and a draw would probably be a good result considering Everton´s recent form.