English Premier
2005-09-19 - Arsenal vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
ARSENAL 2-0-2 7:4 .. L5 LWLW-
Arsenal are in a transition period this season, even if manager Arsene Wenger doesn't want to admit it.
The sale of Patrick Vieira and the failure to purchase immediate replacements, as well as failing to find experienced cover for injuries means that this Arsenal side are very, very, young.
That all augurs well for the next 4-5 seasons, but this season it's been obvious that Arsenal lack the on pitch leadership required, especially with Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell out injured.
The kids need to grow up, but that takes time. It showed itself at the Riverside last Saturday when Arsenal lost 1-2 to Boro despite dominating the game. There was no-one to change the pattern of play.
And again in midweek, we saw youngster Robin Van Persie get sent off against FC Thun for a high foot. A harsh decision perhaps - but if it had happened against us then we'd be screaming about it too.
In the end it look a late substitution and the arrival of Dennis Bergkamp for the Gunners to really start threatening, and it was no surprise that it was Bergkamp who grabbed the vital winning goal in injury time.
EVERTON 1-0-3 1:4 .. L5 LWLL-
For Everton, it has been a season of discontent after such a wonderful season last year.
An inability to strengthen the side during the close season was an ominous sign, and that was followed by a pair of 1-2 losses to Spanish side Villarreal in the Champions League and elimination.
Worse was to follow in the UEFA Cup, as Everton travelled to Romania last Thursday and were thrashed 1-5 by Dinamo Bucharest. Three losses seem to have destroyed Everton's European hopes.
It's not been much better in the domestic league either with losses to Man Utd (H 0-2), Fulham (A 0-1), Portsmouth (H 0-1) and only a surprise win over Bolton (A 1-0) offering any respite from a dismal series of results.
It's going to take some managerial magic for David Moyes to turn this situation around, and he's going to need his injury list to clear up first.
HEAD TO HEAD
Arsenal have dominated this fixture in recent times ... Beating Everton 9 straight times in the league at Highbury and usually score quite a few goals in the progress.
The last few results have been 7-0 (last year), 3-1, 2-1, 2-1, 4-3, 4-1 .. Etc. Usually Everton compete well early but get overwhelmed in the 2nd half.
Last season's result was partially as a result of Everton relaxing after clinching a Champions League place, and was unusual because there were 7 separate scorers for Arsenal, and Henry did not get on the scoresheet despite playing 45 minutes.
THE VERDICT
While Arsenal are a little fragile right now, and without key striker Thierry Henry, they do still have a long list of quality players, and generally the Gunners have been playing their usual brand of passing football.
Everton, on the other hand, have a major injury list issue (Carsley, Van de Meyde, Koldrup, Beattie), and have been on a horror run of form.
Arsenal have had an extra 24 hours rest after their European match, and did not have to travel at all, and should be well focused for this game after a pair of performances that have been less than their best.
Everton will bounce back - but I don't think it will be here at Highbury - and I'll take Arsenal to win by a couple of goals.
The Pick :
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
BEST BETTING TIP :
Yes, Arsenal should win, but the price is poor. NO BET
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
I might takea wee bet on ARSENAL at -1.25 goal handicap. Perhaps with a bit of cover on the 1-0 exact scoreline.
