Today’s visitors to The Emirates are an improved Everton side, normally one that gifts us three points but more likely to prove stubborn as Villa and Middlesbrough were earlier in the season. That said, the current form of the team is such that I cannot see anything other than an Arsenal win and possibly a comfortable one at that.

In all likelihood, Everton will start with a defensive 4-5-1 line up, Andy Johnson playing as a lone striker. He and Joleon Lescott were two good summer signings by David Moyes, both playing pivotal roles in the team’s relatively good start to the season. Their away form has not been too good however. One victory on the road, at Tottenham, with draws at Newcastle and Blackburn accompanying a defeat at Middlesbrough. If they held realistic ambitions of a European spot this season, one of the two draws needed to be a victory.

Team news from Arsenal is well documented. None of the injured list of Ljungberg, Eboue, Baptista and Lauren is expected back before the Internationals in November with Ralph’s knee-knack well and truly scuppering any return before January. They have been joined on “Get Well Soon” bench but Emmanuel Adebayour, which gives Robin van Persie a chance to have a long run in the team in probably a supporting striker role. Jeremie Aliadiere ought to find the bench a snug fit during this time getting the chance for a runout or two. Phillipe Senderos and Gael Clichy are both in the squad although my feeling is that Wenger will take time to bring these two back to match fitness now that he has the luxury of a fit back four which means that I would guess at a line up of:

Lehmann; Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Gallas; Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky; van Persie; Henry

Much of yesterday’s blogsphere was talking of whether it will 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 or 4-5-1. My observation would be, does it matter? At some point in the game, all permutations bar 5-3-2 will be used as and when the match dictates. Kolo Toure has been adventurous as a Centre Half in recent games, charging forward in an attempt to support the strikers whilst Gallas has never been shy of joining in the party. Given it is a home game, the team will have more possession but more fundamentally, until they score it is not in their nature to sit back and defend so attack is going to be still the best form of defence.

The club have announced that the gates will be open at about midday so that we can enjoy Sheffield United v Chelsea on the big screens, which strikes me as the footballing equivalent of watching paint dry so I think I’ll give that a miss and follow the usual pre-match routine.

My prediction for this afternoon is a comfortable 2 - 0 to The Arsenal.

Today’s Tunes

Short but sweet, a Johnny Marr session on KEXP Radio in 2003.

1. Down On The Corner
2. Something To Shout About
3. Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright

Grab it here.

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