Arsenal vs Everton EPL 2008-2009: Preview and Live Score

Arsenal is going to host Everton in a premier league encounter on Saturday. With both sides looking to come back to form, the match seems to be very competitive and entertaining. Both teams could manage only one point from their last two premier league matches. So, both Arsenal and Everton will come out full of confidence at the Emirates stadium and will be looking to come out of the bad patch they are going through at this moment.

Match: Arsenal vs Everton, English Premier League 2008-2009

Date: 18 October 2008, Saturday

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

Kick off: 15:00 BST (British Standard Time)

Arsenal will have home advantage against Everton, but the Gunners would be aware of the fact that they lost their previous premier league home match against newly promoted Hull City last month, followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw away at Sunderland. After 7 matches, Arsenal currently stands 4^th in the league table with 13 points, four points behind Chelsea atop the league standing. So, it is pretty much confirm that Arsenal can not afford to lose many points at this point of the league where they are four points of the pace. In fact, they have already lost two matches so far this season which is just one less than the number of matches Arsenal lost last season. You know that Arsenal led the point table most of the time last season, but a number of injury woes left Arsenal slipping towards the end of the season and they finished 3^rd in the point table.

Similarly, Everton also looks to have a confidence booster performance at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal in order to compensate on their miserable form of recent. In fact, Everton currently holds 15^th position in the league standing with 8 points from 7 matches. In their last seven matches in all competitions, Everton lost three, drew three and won only one. Everton drew 2-2 against Newcastle United in their recent premier league meeting. Everton is just three points away from the relegation zone and the way they have been playing in the recent weeks, it seems they are on the verge of getting into the bottom three. Everton crashed out of league cup last month after losing to Blackburn Rovers 1-0, before suffering a 2-0 home defeat to the city rivals Liverpool in the first Merseyside derby of the season last month.

So, you can see that both Arsenal and Everton are struggling in the league. However, I think, it is going to be a tough match for both sides. Why? Well, Arsenal may not be able to come as stronger as it would have been if the inured players like William Gallas, Bacary Sagna and Nicklas Bendtner were available for the match. Everton too will travel London without a number of injured players including Andy van der Meyde, Lars Jacobsen, Phil Neville, Segundo Castillo and Victor Anichebe. Moreover, Everton will miss the service of Australian midfielder Tim Cahill as he has been ruled out for the trip to London due to suspension So, it is pretty clear that both sides will be missing a number of first team players in what would make some gaps in both teams. That is why, I think, it is going to be a tricky match for either of the team.

Arsenal seems to be most affected by the injury woes. During the international break, at least three Arsenal players suffered injury playing for their respective countries. Captain William Gallas sustained a hamstring injury and right-back Bacary Sagna is sidelined with a knee injury. Striker Nicklas Bendtner took a blow to his ankle while away on international duty. All of them will definitely miss out the home match against Everton. Moreover, Arsenal is also hit by some minor injuries. Star midfielder Cesc Fabregas broke his nose while playing for Spain against Belgium, Dutch striker Robin van Persie picked up a muscular problem and Johan Djourou got a concussion problem. Eduardo da Silva, Amaury Bischoff and Tomas Rosicky are among the long term absentees and will remain sidelined. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger still thinks that his team can manage to get the top place in the table back, despite the injury woes increasing on a regular basis. However, he also admitted that Arsenal is not in a position from where they can lose many points.

However, the good news for Arsenal fans is the availability of Abou Diaby, who has recovered from thigh injury, for the first time. Arsene Wenger has also confirmed that Diaby will at least be in the reserve bench for the match against Everton. Wenger might give Mikael Silvestre his Arsenal debut in the clash with Everton. He could play a vital role in the centre back position in the absence of Captain William Gallas. Mikael Silvestre remained unused so far since he joined the North London club in a move from Manchester Untied during summer transfer window.

For Everton, their biggest miss for the clash with Arsenal would be their star midfielder Tim Cahill who is now under a three match suspension as he was shown red card during last month’s high profile encounter against Liverpool. Cahill looked impressive playing for Australia against Qatar midweek. Manager David Moyes also has concerns over Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo who are doubtful for the match against Arsenal as they are suffering from colds. However, the good news for the Everton fans is that Phil Neville is set to come back in action with the match against Arsenal.

Everton players might be inspired by the news of a new five-year contract signed by manager David Moyes who led the Toffess successfully for the last six years. However, Arsenal can get inspiration from the head to head meeting with Everton. Arsenal did not lose any of their last 12 home encounters with Everton. In fact, the Gunners defeated Everton in 11 of the 12 games, while the other being a 1-1 draw. Last season’s corresponding match saw Arsenal winning 1-0 over Everton thanks to a second half goal from Nicklas Bendtner who will miss the Saturday’s match due to injury.

Online Live Score and Updates

If you can not stick to your TV set due to time constraint, you can go through the following online live score websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Arsenal seems to be favorite against Everton, but as I earlier said, it would not be an easy affair for either side, considering the fact that neither side will come out with full strength. So, I think, it is going to be a hard-fought match with both sides looking to regain their top form and get their confidence back. So, you can expect an exciting match at the Emirates stadium on Saturday.