Resurgent Arsenal host Everton on Saturday knowing that a win could take them into the Premier League top four for the first time this season.

A run of seven wins from nine games has seen the Gunners rise from bottom of the table to the cusp of a Champions League place within the space of a few months. The loss of key players Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in the summer proved to be disastrous for Arsene Wenger’s side. They won just one of their five league games but since losing 4-3 to Blackburn in September they’ve tasted defeat just once more since then. Wenger’s summer signings have are all starting to come good with Mikel Arteta and Gervinho, in particular, shining in last week’s 4-0 win at Wigan. Former Everton playmaker Arteta has slotted into the Fabregas goal with aplomb proving to be the creative hub in Arsenal’s side. Gervinho has also started to live up to the star billing afforded to him during his time at French club Lille. The Ivorian was a constant threat at the DW Stadium with his languid strides down the left causing problems all afternoon. The emergence of the duo along with Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey has taken the burden off captain Robin Van Persie to lead the side and hit the back of the net. Many suggested that Arsenal were a one man team after the Dutchman’s free scoring start to the season but the improved form of those around him has put paid to that theory. More of the same will be expected against Everton this weekend having remained unbeaten in the last eight meetings with David Moyes’ side.

Defeat at Stoke last Sunday put a halt to the Toffees revival after they won their previous two games against Wolves and Bolton. Moyes and his men went in search of a third successive victory at the Potteries only to travel back to Merseyside empty handed. Despite starting the game in eight Everton played nothing like a top half Premier League team with their lack of invention and potency in the final third proving rather distressing for the blue shirts sitting in the stands. Scoring goals has been a problem for the cub all season long with Louis Saha’s age finally starting to catch up on him whilst Tim Cahill has scored in over 11 months. With limited transfer funds available to strengthen his forward line Moyes may have to rely on rookie Apostolos Velios who has proved his effectiveness with a few important goals from the bench. The young Greek striker looks like one for the future but his aerial presence and knack of finding the presence means he could be pressed into action sooner rather than later. A trip to North London is the last thing the Toffees want to deal with especially as Arsenal are in blistering form at the moment.

Arsenal – 5th

Last Five: Won 4-0 v Wigan (A), Drew 1-1 v Fulham (H), Won 2-1 v Norwich (A), Won 3-0 v West Brom (H), Won 5-3 v Chelsea (A)

Potential Starting X11: 13. W. Szczesny 6. L. Koscielny 4. P. Mertesacker 5. T. Vermaelen 18. S. Squillaci 17. A. Song 14. T. Walcott 8. M. Arteta 16. A. Ramsey 27. Gervinho 10. R. Van Persie [C]*

Injury News: Left back Andre Santos joins the long list of players currently in the treatment room with the Brazilian out with a sprained ankle

Key Player: Robin Van Persie

Goals have flowed for Van Persie this season with the Dutchman finding the net 18 times in all competitions thus far. He’s been Arsenal’s savior in a majority of their games with his predatory form up front seeing him get his side of a few sticky situations. He’ll be expected to provide the goals this weekend against Everton and fire the Gunners into the top four.

Match Fact: Arsenal have lost only once in their last 10 meetings with Everton with that solitary defeat coming way back in 2007.

Everton – 10th

Last Five: Lost 1-0 v Stoke (A), Won 2-0 v Bolton (A), Won 2-1 v Wolves (H), Lost 2-1 v Newcastle (A), Lost 1-0 v Manchester United (H)

Potential Starting X11: 24. T. Howard 2. T. Hibbert 5. J. Heitinga 6. P. Jagielka* [C] 3. L. Baines 23. S. Coleman 26. J. Rodwell 17. T. Cahill 7. D Bilyaletdinov 21. L. Osman 27. A. Velios

Injury News: Everton are missing key players Royston Drenthe and Louis Saha for the trip to North London.

Key Player: Phil Jagielka

Despite being linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer captain Jagielka has brushed off any transfer talk to once again prove his worth to the Toffee’s with a string of top-drawer performances. His pace and strength in the air will be vital to Everton as they look to keep out the Gunners ruthless attack.

Match Fact: Everton don’t enjoy their trips to North London having won only once in 19 visits with that victory coming over 15 years ago in 1996.

 Last time at the Emirates Stadium

Premier League 1 February 2011

Arsenal 2-1 Everton

Arshavin (70) Koscielny (75)

Saha (24)

Attendance: 60,014

Referee: Lee Mason

PREDICTION

Arsenal are flying at the moment and last week’s 4-0 win over Wigan will only have boosted their confidence even further. Everton on the other hand will have to rebuild their morale after losing to Stoke and will head to the Emirates looking to bounce back from that defeat. However with Van Persie and co playing out of their skins it will be a tough task for Moyes’ boys to grab some points.

Score: 3-1

[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]