After a rather disappointing loss last Thursday in an away ground that has historically been one of Arsenal’s unhappiest, we hit the road again towards the rugged (and I am not talking about the terrain here) North-West in the hope of maximizing the outcomes of our strenuous efforts – my admiration of the away supporters who would be making two weekday trips from London towards the rainier corner of the island is unbounded – and recover swiftly from the bitter feelings of a missed opportunity.
Our Monday night’s opponent has traditionally – given that in the hallowed history of English football the temporal interpretation of tradition can generate endless arguments, let us set the time period of this tradition to the recent past of the Premier league era only – presented a less thorny proposition at home. Even taking into account all of English first division football history, our away record against Everton — 31W, 27D, 42L — is respectable enough, though obviously not as dominant as our home record: 67W, 16D, 17L. Of these thirty-one away victories a good percentage came in the last 25 odd years, but this is where my football history researcher self, lazy and easily bored, gives up further effort and walks himself up to the living room to listen to the recollections of my (unreliable) anecdotal self.
In the recollections come up some away victories of large margins, a 6-1 in 2009 season opener (Denilson forgetting to hide his Brazilian identity, Vermaelen scoring on his debut etc.), a 5-2 in 2017, a few 4-1s in our halcyon days of late nineties-early noughties…
While getting six, or at least four points off Everton in the league season for a long time was a very routine occurrence, last season the Blues from Liverpool had their long-awaited revenge, a home and away victory against (no longer so mighty) Arsenal: 2-1 at Goodison Park and 1-0 at the Emirates. Under the watchful eyes of Carlo Ancelotti Everton had even threatened to finish above Arsenal for the first time since … 1987/88 when they finished fourth and Arsenal sixth (thankfully chimes in the lazy researcher, for such a time period is beyond the grasp of the living room raconteur’s memory). They came quite close, only two points and two positions behind Arsenal who again finished the season on an embarrassing 8th.
Since then, things have changed rapidly, as they always seem to do in the fervid world of modern football. The suave Italian of the perennially arched eyebrows has returned back to the warm certainties of Madrid, and the gruffly Spaniard of pragmatic attitude was chosen by the new ambitious owners of Everton to steady the ship. Rafa Benitez, since his trophy winning days with Everton’s much hated derby enemies, has always been a prime candidate for clubs in trouble to steady the ship. I believe some Arsenal faithful had earlier suggested that possibility too, especially when the fledgling captain of the ship Arsenal was rocking rather dangerously the stormy sea of last season. However, while Mikel Arteta has improved the quality and consistency of our performances in the league compared to last season, Everton — despite starting promisingly under Benitez with players like Doucouré and Gray impressing — are going through a particularly difficult sequence of results. They have earned only one point from their past five league matches, losing to Liverpool (1-4), Brentford (0-1), City (0-3) and Wolves (1-2), and drawing against some small club from London. They are positioned at 16th in the league table, and are a far cry from the exciting team showcasing the effervescent skills of James Rodriguez or Richarlison, and goalscoring form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
And that makes them a dangerous opponent because in recent years we have been known to be rather generous in how we help struggling oppositions to find their form when they meet us after a poor set of results. Let us hope Mikel and the team are still hurting from last Thursday’s throwing away of three points and have convinced themselves that anything other than a victory tomorrow would be unacceptable.
Despite their poor run of form and results, Everton boasts a lot of established high-quality players with club and international experiences across all positions, starting from Pickford in goal, Doucouré, Allan in the midfield, Richarlison in the forward line. According to Everton FC website Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina are sidelined.
Arteta may feel that he had made a few errors in selecting his first eleven and in his substitution choices in the last match and would be desperate to get Arsenal back to winning ways and on the fifth position in the league table. A popular and successful player with Everton from 2005-2011, he of course knows all about the stadium and the vociferous home crowd, and one expects that in his meticulous preparations those details too would be highlighted.
I hope he will also prepare the team to not slow down and drop back once they take the lead. And not give away possession cheaply in the middle of the park, and not to make lunging tackles in our ow penalty box etc.
The club website injury report says Leno is out – which explains his absence from the bench at Manchester – and so is Emile Smith-Rowe. Hopefully Saka has completely recovered and can start the match and play the full ninety minutes at his best.
The starting line-up I would like to see has no place for our misfiring captain – I believe it would be beneficial for Aubameyang to watch the proceedings from the bench for one or two matches – and also has no place for Partey who too may find a bit of time spent on the bench to be inspirational. Though Tavares has performed more or less impressively, with the odd bit of youthful indiscretion mixed in it, this match may also be a good time for our future captain Kieran Tierney to return to the left back position to add leadership in the playing eleven. I would like to see Gabriel Martinelli keep his place and played down the middle of a fluid front three, with Saka on the right and the forgotten man Nicolas Pépé on the left, with Saka and Pépé switching positions as needed. Ainsley has enough experience to go with his new-found focus in the middle of the park, and I would like to see him combine with Sambi Lokonga who has been one of our best players this season. So, my preferred starting line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Ramsdale
Tomiyasu – White – Gabriel – Tierney
AMN – Lokonga
Saka – Ødegaard – Pépé
Martinelli
However, I think to a manager whose job of selecting first eleven has more significant consequences than that of a blog writer’s, this line-up may appear a bit too early in time to be relied on. I think Mikel will choose a more experienced team, in the 4-2-3-1 formation:
Ramsdale
Tomiyasu – White – Gabriel – Tierney
Partey – Lokonga
Saka – Ødegaard – Martinelli
Aubameyang
A win is a must, and any win will do. I am predicting a 3-1 victory for Arsenal, but a 4-1 or 5-2 or 6-1 will be fine as well (the 7-0 was at Highbury, so not counting that). Let these new new days be just like the not-so-old old days.
Happy viewing everyone!
Thanks Dr F, a fine preview with
a good summary of our current
selection decisions.
Be great to bounce back in style
with a sound defensive performance
and some clinical finishing.
Your second side looks very close to
the XI I expect – we’ll miss ESR but
I hope for a 2-0 win tonight.
Thanks Doc
I’m thinking 2-1 – Martinelli x 2
UTA
A great preview, Dr F.
I reckon your second selection will be close to the mark. You sum tonight’s game up in a single sentence:
“A win is a must, and any win will do.”
A splendid preview Dr F. I’m not headed north today, nor was I there last Thursday. I did visit the old lady of Goodison a couple of years ago, where we viewed a dire 0-0. The highlights of the day were Brenda, from whom I rented a car parking space, and who was straight out of Bread central casting (put this ticket on your dashboard love, or the busies will tow you); and the Z cars theme playing as the teams ran out. My next away game is on Boxing Day, when we go to Norwich (a fine city).
This game is feeling rather pivotal. Let’s crack on and win it.
Thanks Dr F, a very fine preview.
Your first selection is very close to my own. I wish Arteta would be dare enough. We will see.
Any win will di.
COYG
Thank you Dr. F. All this talk of large margins of victory seem a bit misplaced though. I am latching on to th other thread of your discussion, AWWD as you spelled it out so well. COYG!
Norwich isn’t much of an away day for us you can n terms of travel time, is it Countryman? Looking forward to your report on that day.
can n = in
(typing on a small screen in the wee hours here)
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
bt8: The reference to large margins of victory from the not so distant past is simply a bit of wistfulness, nostalgic indulgence , and not any attempt at predictions … I am very well aware of our current predicament. 🙂
But then again, anything can happen in the 90 minutes. Why not a very pleasant surprise?
A delightful read, as ever, Dr F. A fine dialogue between both your selves.
Your second team looks more likely. The club site is bigging up Auba’s goal scoring in Monday night league games — eight in nine, bettered only by Ian Wright’s 14 — so I expect him to start.
Both teams are struggling for goals — 17 in 15 games is the league for both, only seven teams have scored fewer. The bookies have 1-0 to us and a 1-1 as the most likely scorelines. I will take your 3-1 in a heartbeat, but as you say any win will do — and is a must.
Very comprehensive preview DrF and a very good one . I’m old enough to remember the first visit to Goodison in my supporting life . I heard the music from Sports Report and the announcer saying ‘ Arsenal win 6-1 at Everton!’ I rushed out to tell my Dad who thought his young seven year-old was fantasising !
I hope we can win today . I’m a bit worried if ESR is missing as he makes us play . I expect , like Ned, that your second prediction will be more like the team that will play with KT back in place . I think we can get a narrow win but a draw would not surprise me .
Interestingly our last home game with them coincided with a demo against KSE over the ESL debacle . I understand Everton fans are planning a demo tonight about the way the club is being run
Well played, Dr F,
I didn’t realise ESR was out but will hope consequently that his absence gives Martinelli room to make another start. His pace and energy are a large part of what we have lacked up front. He’s been known to finish one or two quite nicely too.
Bt8 @7. Norwich is an easy two hours away from us.
In other news of possible interest to US-based ‘holics, the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise apparently has an option to buy Leeds United by 2024, having increased its stake to 44% from 10% last month.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59548311
The 49ers CEO, Jed York, who had the good sense to be born the grandson through his mother’s line, of the construction magnate Eddie DeBartolo, who owned the 49ers (Eddie’s daughter, Jed’s mother now co-owns the team with her husband) also owns a USL soccer team in Sacramento.
The good thing is there will be no new manager bounce, more likely we’ll put a final nail in the Everton coffin marked ‘Benitez’.
I like your line-up, Doctor. Any win will do, but I am predicting a comfortable one.
My recent predictions have been way off the mark, so don’t quote me on that one :-p
Was that a jazz fusion reference, Dr. F? Romantic Warrior was one of my favorite albums at the time.
Potsticker @ 16: Yes!! ☺️ Them, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report all were magnificent in their unique ways.
Pardon me gentlemen but what bearing do the San Francisco 49ers and the Mahavishnu Orchestra have on the outcome of today’s game? Just wondering …
bt8: Nothing. Completely irrelevant. Potsticker got my reference so I was sharing my enthusiasm with him.
It’s a bar .. completely tangential conversations are part of the fun. At least to me. 😉
bt8: I see that it is 5F (-15C) in MSP right now. I hope that you are staying warm – although that has absolutely no bearing on today’s game. Highly recommend listening to Romantic Warrior before the game. 🙂
So, which Arsenal team will show up tonight?
The Sorceress
The Romantic Warrior?
The Magician?
The Jester?
or
The Tyrant?
I do hope we are the latter and lead Everton on a Majestic Dance with our accomplished Midfield Overture (sic).
COYG
Apropos of nothing, for the second game in a row the club site’s preview infographic has got the name of our opponents wrong in the head to head comparison. It was Liverpool last time and Newcastle this, even though they’ve put up the Man U and Everton badges correctly.
Another random observation: this will be the 79th time Mike Dean, who has the whistle this evening, has officiated one of our games, but it will be only his ninth involving Everton. A remarkable disparity in numbers.
Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Lacazette
Subs: Okonkwo, Holding, Cedric, Tavares, Sambi, Elneny, Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang
Auba benched
The return of Xhaka was even earlier than anticipated. Didn’t see that leaking from press conferences.
City Ground, again!
Glad to see KT3 back, as predicted :). Relieved to see Auba benched. He needs a break. Sorry to see ESR out, but he needs to be kept healthy for the second half of the season. Xhaka’s return this soon is a surprise. Doubt he will last the full 90.
No AMN on the bench. Another injury?
sambi will be bummed. as i am at xhaka paired with partey; that said, if partey suddenly has a massive game, i’ll be pleased. same for ødegaard.
COYG!
We seem to think we’re playing in a who can pass backwards most competition,
Holy mother…. and OOOOOOOOOdegaaard 🙂
How is that tackle not checked for a red card?
As the saying goes, if it was ‘Xhaka’ …
Shit, shit, shit
We rode our luck couple of times, but cheap goals
Got exactly what we deserved. Second best for the vast majority of the game.
How Godfrey didn’t get a red one have no idea. But that aside, we were poor. It’s these inconsistencies that will be how Arteta is judged if he does not get a performance out of these players.
Really poor tonight. Incredibly lacklustre and very disappointing.
Well, we’ve just lost a must-win game.
Auba’s confidence must be at its lowest, could have redeemed himself with last touch
Poor performance. Arteta has to stop picking Xhaka. The guy is awful, and makes the players around him worse.
Our midfield tonight was non existent. We lacked any sort of coherence as a team. Just woeful.
How Godfrey did not get a red is beyond my understanding.
Arteta has probably got to the end of the season. Personally I would start looking for a replacement now.
That was a waste of two hours.
Desperate fare.
A manager and his team with a mid-table mindset clawing defeat from the rubble of two clubs in meltdown in our last two games.
It will be hard for Arteta to take his team into the European spots when they produce performances like they did in these two games.
Truly shocking.
The last days of Arteta are appearing on the horizon.
Awful stuff. Roll over, play dead, waste time, lose in added time.
Poor substitution to use Nketiah, particularly wide left. Pointless.
Talking of pointless, Thomas Partey. Discuss. Or don’t.
We have the makings of a good side, but I’m frustrated with three or four of them, a couple of them should be gone and the manager continues to be a big question mark for me.
Dr. F. If Old Trafford was rather disappointing, then what was Goodison? (No need to answer)
Cynic. Partey’s impact has been no place close to what I had hoped for. TtG has been saying the same or stronger for weeks now.
Cynic
I wouldn’t disagree with any of your points although Nketiah did look livelier than some but missed a sitter .
This side is sparked by ESR and held back by the two ponderous and massively overrated wastes of space in midfield . Partey is pound for pound one of our worst eve4 buys. Expectations were so high when he arrived but he has been quite awful. Xhaka has been a drag on the team for five years .
Arteta was and always will be under pressure but the management will give this reset until the end of the season. We need two midfielders and at least one striker and they aren’t likely to be available in January
Re: Ned @22. I noticed that but just thought it was the new normal. 🤖
Mikel Arteta after the game
https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-its-great-have-xhaka-back
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>