As the English Premier League season comes to an end, Arsenal is at an unfamiliar territory. Under Wenger, Arsenal has been consistently qualifying for the Champions league. However, even if they win this match, there is a chance that the team will remain at fifth position, and hence, will be out from the champions league for the next season. If they win, they will still need Liverpool to falter to have hopes of securing a top 4 place.
However, winning against a well drilled Everton side, that has been playing some great football this season, is easier said than done. Arsene Wenger would hope that his players are up for the task come Sunday, and have hopes of either Liverpool or Manchester City taking a tumble.
ARSENAL FC vs. EVERTON FC
3-Way: 1: ARSENAL FC -222; X: +443 Draw; 2: EVERTON FC +735
Spread -1.5: ARSENAL FC +114; EVERTON FC -109
Total +3.5: Over +121; Under -125
ARSENAL FC
After another disappointing season in the English Premier League, the fans are calling for their long time Manager Arsene Wenger to get the sack, as they have grown tired of the same thing every year; a positive start, hopes of a title challenge, midseason falter in the league as well as crashing out of the champions league to either Bayern or Barca, and then in the end make do with a top 4 finish.
The lack of silverware has cost the team dear. They still have a chance of winning the FA cup, as they are in the final, against the league Champions Chelsea, who had blown them away 3:1 when the sides last met. They have been beautiful when attacking at times, but far too inconsistent for a top 4 team, which is shown by their struggles.
Sitting at 5th position in the English Premier League, the Gunners have accumulated 72 points, just one less than 4th placed Liverpool. 43 of those points have been won at home. The Gunners have been in decent form in the league over the last five matches, as they have won 4 matches and lost 1 during that period. Arsenal have put in good performances over their last few matches. A week ago, they thrashed Stoke City 1:4, which was followed by a home win against the relegated Sunderland by 2:0. They will hope to keep up their good form against Everton in the final game of the season.
For all their deficiencies, one thing that everyone knows about this Arsenal team under Wenger is that they play absolutely wonderful attacking games at times. This is again illustrated by the fact that they have scored 74 goals in the English Premier League, with 36 of those coming at home matches. It is mostly the concentration levels of the players and their defensive solidity of the team that has cost them points this season. They have conceded 43 goals in the league, also keeping a decent 13 clean sheets. 15 of those goals have been conceded at home.
Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez has been the true talisman for the team this season. He has managed to score an impressive 23 goals in the English Premier League, and provided 10 assists too, being the first in the league to hit double figures in goals and assists both this season, as he leads both the charts for his team. Olivier Giroud has shown to be an able back up, as he has also knocked in 12 goals and provided 3 assists. German Playmaker Mesut Ozil has 8 goals and assists each for the team. Veteran keeper Petr Cech has been very good at the back, as he has managed 12 clean sheets in the league.
As one can guess, Arsenal have some big absentees due to injuries. Santi Cazorla and Jeff Reine Adelaide are both out for the season, with Oxlade Chamberlain racing to be fit for the FA cup final. Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy, are all major doubts for the fixture. On the positive side, Lucas Perez is back in training and can make an appearance.
EVERTON FC
After hiring Barcelona legend Ronald Koeman as manager this season, Everton has played some really good football and has been able to get results against teams that normally would easily grab a win against them. Creating a young energetic side, with the right blend of experience, Koeman can be happy with his first season at the Toffees bench, and will hope that he can get his players motivated enough to put in another good performance and condemn Arsenal to the Europa League.
Sitting at 7th position in the English Premier League, the Toffees have accrued 61 points, with 43 of those coming at their home Goodison Park. This shows how strong they have been at home. Their current league form has been a bit wobbly; 2-1-2. They won their last watch at home against Watford by 1:0, before which they were defeated by Swansea by the same score. With Arsenal on Sunday, Koeman will be hoping that his team doesn’t drop more points, keeping in mind that they are winless in their last 5 away games.
Aside from the top 5, Everton have the best attack in the league, with 61 goals scored, something that shouldn’t be a surprise when they have Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku in their ranks. 42 of those goals have come in home matches. Apart from the attack, Koeman has shored up the defense too. They have conceded 41 goals in the English Premier League, which is better by only 4 other teams. Most impressively, the Toffees have managed to keep 13 clean sheets during the league season.
Young striker Lukaku is leading the scoring charts for Everton, with 24 goals to his name, only less than Harry Kane in the Race to the golden boot. Aside from his impressive goal tally, he has also managed to provide 6 assists. Ross Barkley is the leader of the team in terms of assists, as the Englishman has created 8 goals, and also scored 5 others. Goalkeeper Joel Robles has 10 clean sheets to his name.
There are a lot of injury concerns for the Toffees with many of their first team stars out. Aaron Lennon is out with a tragic case of mental illness, while defenders Funes Mori and Seamus Coleman are out for the season. Attacker Yannick Bolasie is also out for the season with a Cruciate Ligament Injury. Goalkeeper Stekelenburg and midfielder James McCarthy are both doubts for the match, as their status have to be checked before the match.
ARSENAL FC vs. EVERTON FC – Match Prediction:
Even though Arsenal has a tendency to make mistakes in important matches, it is hard to ignore Everton’s away woes. Not only that, but Arsenal has been in much better form than Everton of late, and the visitor’s main threat, Lukaku, has been off the boil in recent matches, and they seem to lack attacking menace without him.
Moreover, Alexis Sanchez has been in lethal form, and it feels like he will give the Everton defense a tough time. The visitors have proved many times this season that they can put up with the best teams and I would not be surprises if the score at least one goal. Therefore, I will take the both teams to score a goal !!!
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-141)
