Arsenal vs Everton: Statistical Preview, Form Guide, Injury News & Head-To-Head

Two of the top five meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Arsenal and Everton are coming off consecutive victories, a number of recent clean sheets and general good form that will make for an interesting clash.

Arsenal were comfortable 3-0 winners at Cardiff City last weekend before beating Hull City 2-0 at home during the week. Two victories to nil over newly-promoted sides sees Arsenal heading into gameweek 15 with a 4-point lead over second-place Chelsea.

Everton were 1-0 winners at Manchester United on Wednesday. David Moyes had failed in 11 attempts to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford as Everton manager and then lost to them in the first attempt as Manchester United boss. The Toffees arrive in London with just 1 defeat this season and with back-to-back wins having thrashed Stoke City 4-0 last weekend.

Form

Arsenal WWWLW

Arsenal have bounced back from their defeat at Manchester United with three consecutive victories that sees them maintain a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League heading into the congested December fixture list.

After Olivier Giroud became the club’s top scorer with a brace a fortnight ago, Aaron Ramsey responded last weekend by scoring two goals against Cardiff City to become the Gunners’ top league goalscorer with 8 goals from midfield this season. Nicklas Bendtner scored his first goal of the season midweek, but it would be a shock to see the Dane start ahead of Olivier Giroud this weekend.

Bacary Sagna missed the game on Wednesday and is a doubt for this game. Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Abou Diaby and Yaya Sanogo all remain absent.

Everton WWDDD

Roberto Martínez pulled off a big coup in beating Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. The home side wasted a number of good chances before Bryan Oviedo netted the game’s only goal 5 minutes from time. This came after a victory over Stoke at the weekend that ended a three-game drawing sequence. Everton are back up to fifth and head into the weekend only outside the Champions League places on goal difference.

Bryan Oviedo has 2 goals in 2 games from left-back in place of the injured Leighton Baines. Baines and right-back Seamus Coleman have also netted twice this season, as has Ross Barkley who returned to the starting lineup midweek after missing out in the victory over Stoke. Romelu Lukaku is the club’s top scorer with 8 goals, with three in his last three.

Everton’s record without Leighton Baines is pretty impressive: 18 goals in their last 8 Premier League matches without the England left-back, compared to 18 goals in the last 13 Premier League matches with him. Arouna Koné and Darron Gibson are also out through injury.

Head-to-head

Both matches between these two sides last season ended in draws. Arsenal were held 0-0 by Everton at the Emirates Stadium in April having drawn 1-1 at Goodison Park in November last year.

David Moyes was in charge for those two matches. Arsène Wenger guided his side to 4-1 (home) and 1-0 (away) victories over Roberto Martínez’s Wigan last season. The Latics were relegated at the end of the campaign.

Premier League stats

Absentees

Arsenal
About Diaby (injury)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (injury)
Lukas Podolski (injury)
Yaya Sanogo (injury)

Everton
Leighton Baines (injury)
Darron Gibson (injury)
Arouna Koné (injury)

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