Injuries cost Arsenal the chance of making a serious title charge, and now they look at risk of dropping them out of the Champions League places altogether. The Gunners have won only once in their last five Premier League matches, and are just four points clear of fifth-placed Everton with the Toffees still having a game in hand.
Everton vs. Arsenal: Preview and TV schedule
Arsenal and Everton resume their scrap for fourth place at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Paul Gilham
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That makes their clash at Goodison Park on Sunday all the more important, with Roberto Martínez’s outfit breathing down Arsenal’s necks. Having strung five consecutive league wins together, confidence on the blue half of Merseyside must almost be as high as their league-leading cross-town rivals’, while Arsenal can be forgiven for their sweaty palms.
Fortunately for Arsène Wenger, it isn't just his squad that is being pushed to the limit. For this match, Everton too still without a handful of long-term injuries, while Steven Pienaar and captain Phil Jagielka are new arrivals to the physio's table. However, they should have wonderkid Ross Barkley back from a calf injury.
Arsenal are still without all of their long-term injured players, as well as Jack Wilshere, Mesut Özil and Laurent Koscielny. Kieran Gibbs faces a fitness test on his ankle.
Everton injuries and suspensions
Out: Darron Gibson (knee), Arouna Koné (knee), Bryan Oviedo (broken leg), Lacina Traoré (hamstring), Steven Pienaar (knee), Phil Jagielka (hamstring). In doubt: Ross Barkley (calf).
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Abou Diaby (knee), Theo Walcott (knee), Jack Wilshere (foot), Mesut Özil (hamstring), Laurent Koscielny (calf), Serge Gnabry (knee). In doubt: Kieran Gibbs (ankle).
Projected lineups
Everton: Tim Howard; Leighton Baines, Sylvain Distin, John Stones, Séamus Coleman; Gareth Barry, James McCarthy; Leon Osman, Steven Naismith, Kevin Mirallas; Romelu Lukaku.
Arsenal: Wojciech Szczęsny; Kieran Gibbs, Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker, Bacary Sagna; Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta; Lukas Podolski, Tomáš Rosický, Santi Cazorla; Olivier Giroud.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m. local, 8:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S.), RDS 2, TSN (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), Arsenal Player (international)
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