Whenever I think of an away game to Everton, my mind drifts to ‘that’ game from Oct 19 2002 when Arsenal’s 30 game unbeaten run was shattered by a 16 year old Wayne Rooney (who was earning a mere £80-a-week ) in the 90th minute. Things looked so good early on when Ljunberg put Arsenal 1-0 after 8 minutes. But despite Canadian Radzinski’s 22 minute equalizer, it did appear that Arsenal might get away with a point until that last minute marker. That defeat was the first dent in Arsenal giving up the title in the 2002/03 season. And two years later on Oct 24, 2004, Rooney would damage yet another Arsenal title challenge when he dove to earn a win for Man Utd in that kick-fest of a game.
Stats:
Since that away defeat in 2002, Arsenal have lost two more times to Goodison Park (both 1-0 defeats) in their last 4 visits. In the last 5 seasons, the only time Arsenal have won both their league fixtures over Everton was in the 2004/05 season when they won 4-1 away to Everton and thrashed them 7-0 at home. And even the young Guns got into the act that season winning their Carling Cup fixture 3-1 at home.
In the last 10 league meetings between the two, Arsenal have a slight edge with 5 wins, Everton have won 3 times and the remaining two games ending in ties. Historically, Arsenal have a much better gap with 82 wins compared to Everton’s 54 victories and 36 other league games ending in draws.
Everton have not made for an easy opponent (barring that 7-0 thrashing) in recent years. Games have been close and Arsenal have always had a fight on their hands. Their grinding 1-0 win at Everton in the double winning season of 2001/02 is an example of the kind of resolve needed to win at Goodison Park. That 1-0 game back on Feb 10, 2002 was decided by a looping goal from Wiltord but that game was played on a muddy pitch and was a match of few chances and certainly not pretty football.
Current Season:
Everton have a fine form at home with 6 wins, one draw and 2 losses (1-0 to Man Utd and 2-1 to Liverpool) scoring 21 goals (7 of those home goals came in a 7-1 win over Sunderland) and conceding just 7. Whereas, Everton’s away form is not that bad with 4 wins, 2 ties and 4 defeats scoring 13 goals and letting in 11 goals. Everton put up a fight away to both Chelsea (a 1-1 tie) and Man Utd. They were 2 minutes from escaping Old Trafford with a tie until a silly mistake gifted Man Utd a 2-1 win last week. Everton’s current top-scorer is Yakubu with Tim Cahill scoring 5 times. Mikel Arteta is credited with the most assists at 5.
Away from home, Arsenal have 4 wins, 4 draws and one loss with 13 goals scored and 8 conceded. Arsenal’s home form is much better with 9 wins and 1 tie with 23 goals and just 7 let in. Adebayor is still Arsenal’s top scorer with 10 goals and Fabregas has 6 goals. Cesc leads with the most assists at 9 and Hleb is second with 4 assists. Sagna is credited with 3 assists.
Tactics:
Some managers like to change things constantly and some like to stick to the same formation and line-up no matter what the opposition. Wenger appears to fall in the latter category. Whereas, Rafa liked to tinker line-ups and formations constantly. Jose was the extreme in making changes as early as 30 minutes if he didn’t like how things were going. Sometimes, the different gambles pay off and sometimes not.
One thing is certain — Everton will not provide any gifts to Arsenal on Sat and will make very difficult. So Arsenal have to be on top form. What tactics or players can help fight a defiant Everton? Have at it.