Premier League fixtures preview: Arsenal vs Everton

Arsenal host Everton in what could be the crucial game for the Champions League spot chase.

The Gunners have recorded eight wins in their last ten Premier League games, being on a 4 games’ winning streak and are sitting in the third place, one point ahead of third-placed Chelsea and four points ahead of six-placed Everton.

Everton boss David Moyes rallied the troops ahead of the fixture Arsenal, stating the game is crucial for the Toffees’ chances of reaching the top four finish. He said: “If we can go and win at Arsenal I think you can say we’ve got a chance of being involved in the Champions League, I think if we don’t then you can say we’ve got a chance of making the Europa League. No matter what happens I think the players have given themselves a great chance, there’s five or six games to go, we’ve been doing it for most of the season why would it change, I expect the players to keep picking up victories and trying to win every game if we can.”

Arsenal team news:

Defender Per Mertesacker has served his suspension and could feature in the starting line-up, ahead of Thomas Vermaelen.

Theo Walcott has recovered from injury and could be included by Wenger into the first IX on the right flank in place of Gervinho.

Tomas Rosicky remains a major doubt for the upcoming game after suffering a hamstring injury. Abou Diaby remains on team’s long-term injury list.

Everton team news:

Everton boss David Moyes has no injuries to be concerned with and could stick to the winning side that outplayed Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Seamus Coleman could be preferred over Tony Hibbert once again, as the latter lacks fitness, following a long-term injury.

Moyes could hand Victor Anichebe yet another first-team start, after his impressive performance in four previous games.