By Tony Attwood
“While questions have been asked of Arsenal’s attacking intent, there can be no complaints about their home form so far this season.” So says one of the Arsenal knocking papers as it launches its start of today’s game’s preview. But really that is a bit misleading, since after all Arsenal’s record is played seven, won six and lost one, and the only club to do better is Manchester Cheating-but-not-punished. So as ever we wait to see what (if anything) the legal dudes have to say about the Mancs.
But while meandering around the internet looking for something to say about today’s opposition I did come across a list of Everton anniversaries, and I must congratulate whoever built such a site because they really do seem to have worked on their history. Here is the anniversary list for Everton on this day and tomorrow.
Oct 24 1928 – our first appearance in the Charity Shield sees us beat Blackburn 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Oct 24 1962 – our first match in Europe – a 1-0 home win over Dunfermline in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the UEFA Cup.
Oct 25 1919 – our 1,000th competitive match is a 3-0 home win against Blackburn in the old Division 1.
Oct 25 1958 – Johnny Carey’s first match as manager – a 1-1 draw away at Blackpool.
I thought that really impressive – but it reminded me that AISA, the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association – has indeed done it. And so here are today’s anniversaries. I ought to quote them more often…
24 October 1936: The East Stand, Highbury, is opened
24 October 2010: scoring three against Man C – the video
25 October 1969: Sammy Nelson made his debut
25 October 2016: the Ox has fun with the Villa defence
Anyway back to today – what of the team?
Raya;
White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori;
Rice, Lewis-Skelly;
Madueke, Odegaard, Eze;
Havertz
Raya;
Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori;
Odegaard, Guimaraes. Rice
Saka Havertz, Madueke
Now of course we all know that Saka can’t play, so I guess they must have rushed their prediction out early, or they didn’t look at the damage listings from the last game. Or they know something we don’t know.
But Yahoo Sports seem to know a trifle more about what’s what and suggest
Raya
Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori
Guimarães, Rice, Ødegaard
Madueke, Havertz, Eze
which I guess looks a bit closer to the mark. So I think I will stop there, and hope we all have a jolly time. A shame no one can put it on TV, but there will be highlights tonight on Match of the Day.
Previsouly on this site
Tony, thank you for your data profile of today’s match both now and your earlier report. Sorry this is most of my post from earlier with some slight tweaks.
You had expertly shown in your earlier post today our past meeting with Everton well, that favours Arsenals on history results.
We love playing Everton. Arsenal have got this one if just going on past meetings in its history of results.
I know you already know the following stats but just for other readers, I also look at the Manager stats and Ref stats as well as the team, which also fares well for today’s Arsenals match.
Moyes has lost 30, drawn 11, won only 6 games against Arsenal in his career.
Moyes against Arteta is 8 lost, 3 draws and only 2 wins.
Arsenals record with today’s referee is good. Although he has never officiated a match between Arsenal and Everton. Arsenal have won all 3 games against other teams that Tony Harrington has officiated.
However he has officiated just one game for Everton where Everton had won that day.
He has no history of red cards or penalties against or for either team.
On current form, selected teams ability, history of teams meeting, managers meeting, and referee past stats. It heavily favours Arsenals to get a good result.
This is all pending today’s tactics of both sides, and any lack in concentration or defensive mistakes.
Everton is more defense than attack although they are capable of 2 or 3 shots on target per game, with their danger man and their top scorer being Thierno Barry who is capable of a couple of shots on target.
Yahoo seems to have picked our best 11 (if not including young Max), but who knows with Arteta keeping his rotation method.
All being an error free game Arsenal should be able to break down Everton’s tight defence and be to much quality for them and take all 3pts today. IMO.