The last time Arsenal had a testing week where they faced three high-standard teams in the space of seven days, Arsene Wenger’s men came out pretty well, with the 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford denting a little the memorable wins over Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
Show-that-you-are-title-contenders-for-the-umpteenth-time Week No.2 starts with a clash against Everton at the Emirates on Sunday.
Saturday could not have gone better for Arsenal really, in pole position and their four-point lead at the top as solid as their back-four.
With Chelsea losing and Manchester City only managing a draw in their respective games against Stoke City and Southampton, Arsenal find themselves in a real position of strength to increase their lead, with Liverpool only able to go level with Chelsea on points courtesy their 4-1 victory against West Ham.
If, it is a big if of course, Arsenal can pick up three points against Everton, a team in sprightly form and buzzing from that victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United , who again had a forgettable outing in their no-longer-a-fortress home ground, they will be seven points clear of the chasing pack having played 15 games each.
The three points will also be a huge boost to a big week, which sees Arsenal travel to Napoli in the final group game of the Champions League, before visiting Manchester City next Saturday.
“I don’t think there is a danger [of becoming complacent] because we are hungry, we want to win, and we have just put a few results together that will make us more ambitious, but as well conscious that in every single game you need to put a top-level performance in,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said
“It is a continuity as well because since the beginning of 2013 we have been quite consistent in our results, but now we have a big week in front of us starting with Everton and we have to show we have the hunger and the quality to do it.”
Arsenal eased past Hull City in midweek at the Emirates, but Everton will definitely provide a stiffer test with Roberto Martinez seemingly adding just that little bit extra going forward since taking over from David Moyes.
Old Trafford on Wednesday showed this Everton side are not afraid to go into a big team’s backyard and take the game to them, eventually coming away with a massive three points.
“He has done remarkably well because they have had some difficult games,” Wenger added. “They have played many of the big teams in the league and overall are in a very strong position.
“They have just come out of a win against Manchester United. We are lucky this season a little bit, because there is always a big warning before we play against these teams when they have exceptional results. That keeps us on our toes. We know it is a big game.”
Luck might play a factor in a game that the big individuals of either side could influence a great deal.
Team news: Arsenal: Lukas Podolski is back in training but will not feature against Everton, while Bacary Sagna misses out again after missing the Hull victory. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby remain out.
Everton: Martinez remains without Arouna Kone, Leighton Baines and Darron Gibson, but the manager confirmed Antolin Alcaraz is fully fit.
Key men: Arsenal: Take your pick really, among Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla and more. Maybe it’s time for Theo Walcott to make his mark on the season with a masterclass of his own.
Everton: Romelu Lukaku was a pest to the Manchester United backline, even giving the solid-as-a-wall Nemanja Vidic a torrid time, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker will certainly be tested by the Belgian on Sunday.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for a 9.30 pm IST start with live coverage on Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD2. You can also catch the action live online by clicking HERE. To live stream the match in the U.S., click HERE. All the action can be watched in the U.K., HERE. Viewers in North Africa and the Middle East can watch the match via live streaming by clicking HERE.
Expected lineups: Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Wilshere, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud.
Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Oviedo; McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley, Pienaar; Lukaku.
Prediction: 2-2
<!–
–>
To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail:
To contact the editor, e-mail:
*http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGG1KWPZ_gVYmMrq1t2IxaSANVUmQ&url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/528312/20131208/arsenal-everton-live-streaming-english-premier-league.htm
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar