Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Nick Simmonett 
Date:Saturday December 29 2007
Time: 12:13AM
UK time is: 11:30:32
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Everton vs. Arsenal
Goodison Park
29/12/07
17:15
Everton V Arsenal Preview
Arsenal make a trip to Merseyside on Saturday to face the Premiership's in-form team. No, not Liverpool - Everton.
The Blues' are in fine form at the moment. Their form has seen them climb to 6th in the league, and they currently sit just three points outside the all important fourth and final Champions League spot, currently occupied by local rivals Liverpool.
Everton's run of 4 wins in the last 6 Premiership matches has seen only Manchester United walk away from a game with them with all 3 points.
While some might say Arsenal's form has been poor this month, they have three wins in their last 6 Premiership games. Those wins were against a Chelsea team that had lost only one game under Avram Grant, a Tottenham team that has found belif and something resembling form under Juande Ramos and an Aston Villa side that beat Chelsea 2-0 earlier in the season.
The pressure is on Arsenal to get a result after losing top spot to Manchester United on Boxing Day. The Gunners could be four ponits behind United if they win at West Ham earlier in the day.
However, if things were to go Arsenal's way then they could be back on top of the Premiership com dinner time.
Vital Quotes:
Everton boss David Moyes spoke of the need to get results against all teams, not just the top 4. He told Everton TV: 'Everybody says you will be judged with how you get on against Manchester United and Arsenal - I do think you have to do well against them but I still think you have got to beat your other teams. The teams at the top are very hard to beat even when they are not playing well.
'I have to say Arsenal have looked a really good team - they have hardly had a blip all season and have been really consistent. That shows how well Manchester United have played.
'It will be tight but I think Liverpool and Chelsea will be there come the end of the season but there is a long way to go until the Championship is decided.'
Arsene Wenger says he is pleased with Arsenal's start to the season, but thinks that Arsenal will need to up their points average in the second half of the season to win the League: 'We have 44 points from 19 games in total.If you multiply that we would have 88. It`s not bad.
'I don`t know if 88 would be enough to win the title. At the moment it doesn`t look like it.
'But we are one point short of Manchester United and have lost once in 19 games. So it is down to who is the most consistent now. Even Chelsea and Liverpool can come back into it.
'[In pre-season] everybody seemed to be predicting we would be in the second half of the table. I feel we are on schedule now but we can do better and that is what we want to achieve.'
Everton Team News:
Leon Osman, Alan Stubbs and Leighton Baines are all out of action for The Blues.
Thomas Graveson is also doubtful with a knee injury. Manager David Moyes is yet to make a decision on former Man United utility player Phill Neville who is suffering from a stomach bug.
Player to watch: Yakubu
The Nigerian striker has been in and out of form this season. He has had games where he's been totally out of his league, but there's also been times when he's been outstanding.
He's in a purple patch at the moment and has hit 11 goals in all this season.
Arsenal Team News:
Robin Van Persie is still out with an injury described by Arsenal only as 'a muscular problem.'
Theo Walcott is still a doubt with flu, while Denilson is still suspended after his red card agaisnt Everton.
William Gallas is fit to play, despite picking up a foot injury at Portsmouth on boxing day.
Player to watch: Cesc Fabregas
Arsenal's very own little matador has suffered a dip in form by his own high standards. I think he's due an outstanding performance and a goal.
Ref Watch:
Arsenal's referee for Saturday hails from Yorkshire. Martin Atkinson will officiate his 14th game of the season. In his 13 matches so far this season he has dished out 41 yellow cards and just 1 red.
Match Prediction:
I'm going to have to go for an Everton win. They are in fantastic form and I think their over-physical game will be too much for an Arsenal team that must be getting tired. 2-1 Everton.
Your Comments
A narrow win for us, and back to the top of the league...
jess_farenesh
1-1. We score first and Everton put in a superb second half display to deny us.
WouldYouBelieveIt?!
Come on! Your prediction ain't realistic. The least Everton can get from us is a draw cause they are tired too!
CoastarianGooner
everton to get a point.this is because everton are a top side that can get point off anybody.yakubu to score. it will be a tight match.
kaybee
If Everton are to score then the man is Cahill as he is a sneaker!
CoastarianGooner
Just seen that Bob Wilson has been awarded an OBE for his charitable services through the Willow Foundation.
- Well deserved the blokes a rea credit and an Arsenal Legend
Chix
Awesome news Chix
CoastarianGooner
Gunners to bounce back big time, entertaining 2-0 win for us..
luckys_10
I think that if we win this.. it could potentially be an upset.. I don't know how we can do it, but if we do.. it will be a great result. I say 1-1 is one of the better results we can get today.
arsenalrulz4ever
logically, draw is the result . But football never been logical ! 1 piont should be the minmum! anything extra i will take it happily! hopefully we well score early and let them open the game and then get another goal ! COM'N You Gunners
Gooner SA
we do seem to do well under pressure..ppl like gallas, fabregas, flamini and rosicky know they can ill afford another draw, particularly if united win at west ham..champions take 3 points from places like everton, if we cant take 3 today, the title is united's.. i think we'll win this and prove the doubters wrong yet again.. i personally prefer to us go a goal down early on, it always seem to galvanize the players together even more
McGooner
"if we cant take 3 today, the title is united's" McGooner I think that's a pretty bold statement you're making. Loss of 3 points will leave us 4 behind which isn't poor. Only one team has come away from everton with all three pts and thats united. Dont give up hope this soon mate
WouldYouBelieveIt?!
It will be interesting for us to observe our team because now the title race is hotting up and the pressure is really on us to go to places like Everton and win. Ordinarily a draw would not be a terrible result at Everton but under the circumstances we need to win. Actually I think it's going to be the draw at Newcastle that may prove costly in the long run because we really should have beaten them having gone in front. It's a massive game for us tomorrow.
Gooner_Vin
Damn! Manure are 1 up already..Ronaldo scored..damn again while am typing Essien just scored too against Newcastle!
CoastarianGooner
liverpool got 3 at everton as well mate.. we hv to get the 3 or else chelsea and l'pool will be right on our coattails
McGooner
edwardo and bendtner starting...and manure are 2-1 down!!!!
fran merida
I would never have thought it's Anton Ferdinand who'd help us take points off ManU! What a great header. And you never know, West Ham are looking very good now.
Louisa
OMG I just finished posting the last comment and there you go 2-1 to West Ham!!! Now we can go on to get back to the top at Everton!!!
Louisa
yeh your a bit slow louise
fran merida
Go West Ham!
AB_Arsenal
oh sorry louisa
fran merida
Yeah just that little bit slow cos I'm watching it on the web. And I'm glad I wasn't looking at your comment before mine so it didn't spoil the fun! Not only bcos they're helping us take points off ManU, but West Ham are doing well in this game and deserve to win. Hope the prospect of going back to the top would fill our guys full of ambition and motivation at Everton.
Louisa
When I saw Ronaldo miss the penalty, I thought West Ham could come back and win the game, just like the turning point we had against Spurs. It's quite amazing that West Ham beat ManU twice, beat us twice and ManU once this year, considering all the problems and injuries they've had.
Louisa
yeh me too,i remember there was a time a couple of seasons back when Arsenal had chances to overtake the leaders having to play evening games,and always blowing it....hope they can do it,cos all the pundits are saying its manures time now,and we are finished..
final whistle at the boylen,and the mancs have lost..come on Arsenal
fran merida
Oh yeah Eduardo and Bendtner at Everton, just looked at ATVO. Arsene does know! :D
Louisa
Arsies, please lose.
k_chelski
What, Spurs beat Reading 6-4 at WHL?! That's crazy!
Louisa
Wow that gives us added hope, would have never expected West Ham to beat Man Utd when Ronaldo had the spot kick.
AB_Arsenal
manure defeated, and to coin a phrase: "it's all up for grabs now" !!! COME ON YOU GUNNERS
JakeB
MAN U Lost So we have to win this GAME. If we have to take advantage of this opportunity to be back on TOP by 2 pts. WE CON DOO ITTTTTTT!!!
Youngest in Charge
YES UNITED LOST and we are playing a 4-4-2!! Couldnt have asked for more :)
gunnerkid107
ManUre unstoppable,Ronaldo unplayable,Arsenal slipping,ManUre back on top to stay...blah blah blah....I wish all the *****s on tele,radio and papers would just do us a favour and jump off a clif.....
radar
Yessssssssssssssssssssssssss Thanks for that WHam..thanks Ferdinand's bro (LOL)...thanks ex-gunner (Mathew Upon) for the goalssssss what an irony to both scorers. LMAO. Now the ball is in our court....LETS DO IT GUNNERS!
CoastarianGooner
and remember..this is our biggest test......again.....
radar
Bit scrappy at the moment.
AB_Arsenal
Yes it is. Everton are tying hard not to let us flow.
CoastarianGooner
As I said earlier, if Everton are to score then its Cahill to do it....damn!
CoastarianGooner
That was terrible :(
AB_Arsenal
Well, now is the time for those who were whingeing on the bench like Diaby and Bendtner to show what they can do. They need to stamp their authority on this game or forever shut up.
Everton could easily run away with this if we're not careful.
Wyn Mills
They are outplaying us badly now.
AB_Arsenal
to be honest, i'm feeling a little numb
McGooner
same here...i thought the lads will be motivated with manure's loss but i ges am wrong so far
CoastarianGooner
oh come on arsenal..ffs, we hv to capitalise on other ppl's slip up
McGooner
I must say I wasn't expecting anything from that free kick! Boom a Eduardo's 1st league goal!!! Great control, great finish. When presented a good chance, he can do the job!
Louisa
What a turnaround! 2-1 to the Gunners thanks to Eduardo's composure and finishing! Hope he's ok though.
Louisa
OK simple now, we just keep having 8 men in front of Almunia, with Ade roaming around to see what he could do in case something arises. Bendtner's 1st yellow was a really cheap one, 2nd one not excusable.
Louisa
Hahah ***** that's exactly what happened - Ade single-handedly took advantage of the stupid error between Yobo and Howard. OK let's park the 10-men bus in front of our goal now!!!
Louisa
DON't PANIC ! i said it before ! now everyone go and get so *****ed in new year eve cause we are TOP ! YES TOMMMMY fourth
Gooner SA
WE SHALL NOT WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, WE SHALL NOT WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!
nikolaijns
Weird weird game... Never seen us so ruthless when not playing really well for weeks!
Louisa
yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. i've just lost my voice but never mind.. wat a turnaround, even with fabregas not playing his best we hv 4 goals, now who has matchwinners all over the pitch
McGooner
We have TWO deadly left footers now. Double for EDUARDO won it for us. Now everyone sees the secret weapon arsene was talking about.
Youngest in Charge
WE ARE ON TOP OF THE LEAGUE...WE ARE ON TOP OF THE LEAGUE... !!!!!!!!!!
HENRY`14
2 points ahead, 2 points ahead! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!
Louisa
Can you imagine how Ronaldo's banging his head on the wall ruing his penalty miss now? Eduardo, Eduardo!!! And guys, don't you think Arsene's subs were superb today?
Louisa
it was far from vintage Arsenal. we didn't show up in the first half and we were no where near our best in the second. but you can't always play beautiful football. sometimes you need to grind out results and that is what we did. yeah we were lucky with a few decisions, but that is part and parcel of the game. we've had many big decisions go against us in the past. but the spirit and the togetherness the lads showed in the second half proves that we no longer have a soft spot and we can fight our way to grind out results..
luckys_10
Interesting match! I think best buddies Fabregas and Arteta are going to have to go out for a Ronaldo/Rooney type make-up pint after that elbow. Bendtner needs some desperate tackling lessons - he made a few unnecessary harsh one's today! Eduardo is the coolest finisher I've seen in a long time. Nice also to see Rosicky get a goal if at least for a confidence boost. Cahill is a tw*t. Back on top....Happy New Year everyone!
SUX2BU
What a match...coupled with West Ham's win...we're back where we belong,at the top of the league!!! I've been backing Eduardo all this while,finally he's shown what a awesome finisher he is...Happy New Year to all Gooners!!!
jess_farenesh
Louisa - Hope u understand now that Bendtner is not exactly ready for a start.. he was pretty poor today.. maybe it was a one off.. but he shouldn't have got sent off. It was one of the poorer matches of the season - quality wise so I'm delighted to have come away 4-1 against Everton.. no doubt abt that! Top of the table at the end of 2007.. could it get any better? Hopefully it can! Happy New Year everyone!
arsenalrulz4ever
sorry for my girl! but im gonna be "top" tonight lol
Gooner SA
Great game and a great Saturday for us gooners. I hope everyone can see now why Bendtner hasnt been starting and just how good Adebayors been for us. Im not putting Nik down but hes just not ready yet. And what a goal by Dudu on the 2nd one. Reminded me of Bergkamp vs Leicester.
gunnerkid107
LOL Gooner SA...YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS we did it!!! Hoooooooooooooooray to 4-4-2...Welcome Eduardo..start banging them goals from now on.....i rily wished Bendtner scored to up his confidence...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO back on top!!!! What a a turn around of events!
CoastarianGooner
god!!!!the spuddies were behind 6 times....my god better got to vital spurs and see how many survived that match.......g
karley
Btw, my thoughts go out to Motherwell's Phil O'Donnell who passed away after collapsing...RIP...Amin...
jess_farenesh
i hope we don get on bendtner's back and start questioning him.. he is very young and to start him at everton is not exactly the game u wanted him to start.. he'll learn from today and will definitely get better as the season goes on.. he'll only miss 1 game as its 2 yellows as opposed to straight red.. great to see rosicky and eduardo on the scoresheets, rosicky has been our bests player over the last 3 games and he got a goal today to atone for his miss at pompey.
McGooner
Arsenalrulz4ever, I wasn't saying we must start Bendtner. All I was asking for was take a bit of a gamble and go for 4-4-2 while 4-4-1-1 didn't work bcos Hleb hasn't been at his best and his role in that hole is a pivotal one. I kept saying Bendtner or Eduardo or even Theo, any capable striker who could partner Ade, would be worth a try, while 4-4-1-1 clearly wasn't working. Anyway, 4-1 is really flattering. It started raining when we're 1-0 down, and I thought it's probably not our day. What a turnaround it was, which Eduardo made happen almost single-handedly when everyone else was not really playing well. But it's the same old cliche again: winning while not at our best = champions' mark. I can't wait to read LD's match report, must have been a hell of an experience for them there.
Louisa
good win by you lots but i have to admit i am disgusted with some of your players attitude today i.e fabregas, flamini and toure. fabregas exergerated too much and i am startiing lose respect for him hope he grows out of this attitude as he is still young but if he continues like this boy he will be getting alot of sticks from other fans and player.
kaybee
it's a worrying trend, so many footballers losing their life on the pitch. clubs really need to look at the root cause of these tragic events. R.I.P Phil O'Donnell..
luckys_10
RIP Phil O'Donnell.
Louisa
I've just heard it was 4 shots on target, 4 goals. Haven't seen us so prolific for a LOOOOONNNNGGG time! Do you guys think Eduardo can get more starts now? He's been to tough places - 2 goals each in Blackburn and Everton is a hell of an achievement. Tested well in the English game now, yes? Ade-Edu sounds like a pretty awesome partnership to me. What do you guys think?
Louisa
Ade / Dudu sounds good, but personally as long as we bin the 4-5-1 ********* against the likes of Pompey I'll be an 'appy bunny.
nikolaijns
Whether Adebayor/Dudue or Bendtner Dudu is used for now am cool with it and for those who had huge expectation on Bendtner today you were expecting too much. I wanted to start so that he starts getting experience on starting match in EPL and playing more than 45 minutes. That will shape him up for future. HE should definitely be used when Adebayor is tired like today.
CoastarianGooner
Arsene, please do NOT sign anyone in Jan. (Well, maybe except a non-sulking keeper...)
Louisa
LOL Louisa. If Mad Jens goes don't we need a good replacement for him?
CoastarianGooner
Yeah that's what I meant - we might need to sign a non-sulking keeper to replace the sulking one. Happy New Year to you!
Louisa
Same to you mate and what a year to start while on top of the league! Cheers!
CoastarianGooner
These 3 months I've developed a habit of clicking automatically on the 1st team of the league table to get to Arsenal news on many websites. The past 3 days I had to change that to clicking on the 2nd link. So glad I can go back to my old habit now. That's where we belong. :)
Louisa
dudu just started...happy new year Eduardo
andycroat28
LOL Louisa..bad habit!!!!
CoastarianGooner
Sorry, if we didn't go according to your plan, kev.
BMF
You guys should write an article titled: "We are on top, where we belong!!!" Like those manures did at Man Utd vital when they were on top temporarily. It's too bad we will lose Bendtner on the next match, he and Dudu (the real fox-in-the-box) works well together. Hope, he and Ade can do the same, if they are playing together.
BMF
Oh well, watcha gon do, at least the title race is exciting than the previous years,
k_chelski
I agree, it's been an exciting title race.
BMF
more exciting*
k_chelski
Dudu now has 9 goals in 10 Arsenal games, not a bad return :)
AB_Arsenal
Well I'll be buggered with a root vegetable! I honestly thought we would lose today. I was beggining to question whether we had the balls to go all the way this season, but it's games like these, where we probably shouldn't have won, that make you think "stone me rodgers, we can do it!" Delighted, absolutly delighted, as my 9 hour bindge would suggest! I'm off for more drink! Get in there Gooners!
simmy8_2000
Yes, Dudu is really settling well. It's a bonus, he cost less than half the price compared to Darren "I cost as much as Henry" Bent.
BMF
LOL BMF. I hope this is the start of Dudu's emergence as we stroll slowly towards May in terms of bangin' dem goals.
CoastarianGooner
Where on earth were we in the 1st half? Thats display was extremely poor. I wouldn't be surprised if AW gave them some good spankings. Now I see why AW refuses to start with Bendtner. He was very poor and got sent off rightly. Anyway, good win and Happy New year to y'all
WouldYouBelieveIt?!
Louisa - Right, ok.. Yeah Dudu really showed some Carling Cup form though.. the 2nd goal was awesome.. love his composure in front of goal.. I don't know abt the strike partnership. I guess I can only decide when I see them together.. I can see Dudu and Ade start against West Ham though.. so that will be good.. I'm sure everyone who slammed Eboue could see that Hleb really looked out of place on the right side.. Eboue is integral to that balance.. I think even Walcott can do the job.. but not Hleb.
arsenalrulz4ever
Happy new year WouldYouBelieveIt?! and the rest of the gooners.
CoastarianGooner
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