Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:40

I remember feeling the nerves the last time we travelled to Goodison park, a tough start to the season at a very tricky ground. I told all that would listen to me that I would happily settle for a point in the first game of season 2009/2010.

As we all know everything clicked on that day and we blew the Toffee's high out of the water, some decided to blame the whole day on the will he won't he transfer saga of Joleon Lescott to Manchester City but actually we were fantastic both on and off the ball. Before Denilson curled the ball into the top corner on 26 minutes, it was an even contest but we fought for the right to play. We competed and battled to stop Everton and impose our own game. Those very same qualities will have to be on show this afternoon.

Arsenal currently have two sides to them this season and that will have to change if we are to lift silverware. I  am hoping that we can send Mr Hyde on a first class single ticket to West London whilst pulling out some more Dr Jekyll-esque performances that we showed at Wolves in midweek.

With Sunderland likely to hitch up their skirts at Stamford Bridge and Aston Villa dropping a two goal lead to an average looking Manchester United yesterday, it is down to us to keep the pressure going at the top.

Arsene could reshuffle his pack after Samir Nasri was sat on the bench at Wolves, Theo Walcott is fresh and Denilson could also be an option.

Marouane Chamakh would have been a strong candidate to drop down to the bench after racking up plenty of games in a short space of time but I wonder if his brace in midweek has cancelled that thought out of the minds of our manager. Robin Van Persie and as we've heard Nicklas Bendtner are all pushing for a start to show their worth to the side and really any of the three could be called upon.

With Jack Wilshere having played continuously since returning from suspension, I wonder if Denilson will take his place this afternoon, especially as we are playing away from the Emirates, Arsene may prefer to save Wilshere for Tottenham on Saturday.

If I could have my way Tomas Rosicky would be included into the line up somewhere, especially as we could do with his combative qualities, along with his ball retention. I would use Nasri and Rosicky in wide areas to try and get control of the game and if we needed another outlet late on then look towards Walcott and or Arshavin to win the game if needed but I believe that Nasri and Arshavin will start the game.

Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci will continue at the heart of the defence after a wonderful display in midweek. Djourou looked very calm and cool against Wolves and that is very encouraging especially when we are not quite sure when Thomas Vermaelen will return to the squad.

Everton's home record hasn't been very impressive so far but they have raised their game against the bigger teams. Drawing 3-3 against Manchester United after being 3-1 down with minutes remaining. Their high point was the 2-0 victory against their rivals Liverpool in October but recent performances have been far from impressive. Jermaine Beckford rescued a point against Bolton in stoppage time on Wednesday, whilst Yakubu was the difference a couple of weeks ago against Stoke City.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Samir Nasri

After suffering from a a calf problem against Newcastle, he has rested and should be fresh. If he can jump straight into the pace of the game then he could be a valuable player for us. He will be up against Leighton Baines so that should be an interesting contest.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction

Everton 1 Arsenal 2 (Song, Cesc)

Cesc hasn't scored a Premier League goal since Sunderland away and even that is difficult to call it his own goal as it was not intentional so he is more than due a goal. The law of averages could well suggest that Goodison park could be a location where our skipper finds his form and gets back on the goal trail.

I think it will be a tight game, Everton pressed us high up the pitch at the Emirates and it worked very well for them, I would expect the same to happen again but with our quality we can escape that pressure and turn the screw in the final third.

COME ON YOU DR JEKYLL's!!

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Comments (13)

• 14-Nov-2010 12:04 | | dkgooner  - Everton and Bendtner
  

  Agreed about Rosicky, ML - would love to see him start. Thought he had a cracker against Wolves. He wins us more ball than Arshavin. But the defence picks itself, barring injuries and the rest of your team looks probable - can't see any major experiments taking place. I think Jack needs a break so a game on the bench would be in order.
  I see B52 has been bleating again. No doubt in my mind that Chamakh is the better player. I can understand Bendtner's desire to play and that's also something we want to see. The problem for him is that he's going to become a father in December and his girlfriend lives in London, mainly because she has children with her former husband and he is London based and has a right to contact. So Nick can't just flit off to Europe and play. He's stuck with England - London or the Midlands. And who can afford him? Wenger needs to keep him at the club because RvP is always an injury waiting to happen and Chamakh needs a break now and then to keep him fresh the whole season. He's done fantastically well so far but can he keep it up? Wenger's problem, but I can't see him releasing Bendtner.

• 14-Nov-2010 12:47 | | omasdon  - predictions
  

  i am always trilled by your predictions and how the matches finally end.

• 14-Nov-2010 13:05 | | MeanLean
  

  Luckily I have never claimed to be any good at them. Here is a tip, if you are a betting man... bet the opposite.

• 14-Nov-2010 14:01 | | dkgooner  - Team
  

  Spot on ML - Wilshere starts though.
  Howard Webb referee

• 14-Nov-2010 14:12 | | omasdon
  

  Arsenal has not done 3 consecutive away clean sheets i think sometime in may 2005 was the last.i dont bet but if i have to it would be on who scores.your predictions on that is about 60% correct

• 14-Nov-2010 16:10 | | dkgooner  - Good win again
  

  Good solid defending today. Their goal was a foul on Song by Saha - no question.
  Want to say a word about Johan Djourou who's had a lot of injury problems and is now getting some games. Think he's playing really well, strong in the air and the tackle, good anticipation, keeps it simple, not afraid to run the ball out of defence, creative passer of the ball, both short and long. Doesn't always come off but it shows he has vision. I think if injuries dictated such a situation (e.g. Song and Denilson out at the same time), he could easily cover as defensive midfield.
  I must admit I thought his injuries were such that we'd never see him in an Arsenal shirt again, but it's great to see him out there. Shows he has mental strength as well as physical. Still only 23 years old. Let's hope the football gods take care of him from now on - he's had his fair share of bad luck.

• 14-Nov-2010 16:11 | | dkgooner  - Come on Sunderland
  

  Don't really believe it will happen but let's hope they give Chelsea a hard time.

• 14-Nov-2010 16:49 | | MeanLean
  

  Super super victory. We looked strong and in control throughout the game. When they scored and pushed for the equaliser we dealt with everything they threw at us.
  
  I agree, Djourou was fantastic and is now starting to show his quality.
  
  Our away form is great, time to fix the home problems and then a chase for the title is more than possible.
  
  COYG

• 14-Nov-2010 18:04 | | dkgooner  - Chelsea 0 Sunderland 3
  

  Amazing stuff - who would've believed it!!!
  It's not only us who get the surprise defeats.
  Game on!

• 14-Nov-2010 18:29 | | MeanLean
  

  It is well and truly game on.
  
  This so called super Chelsea side suffer a few injuries and look what happens. Not so super after all are they?
  
  We can do this but we have to keep up these performances. Great strong victory today.

• 15-Nov-2010 02:00 | | richie  - Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah!
  

  Can't speak for the rest but I've just had a great weekend!
  The table suddenly looks so much better now
  November traditionally our bogy month ain't done yet, but
  with Chelski wobbling lets not waste the all good work next up
  against the wannabees

• 15-Nov-2010 02:04 | | MeanLean
  

  Freaky, I called them the wannabes in the match review just now. Up in the morning. Great win, very pleased. Chelsea look a shadow of themselves with a few injuries.

• 15-Nov-2010 02:55 | | richie
  

  Not surprising that you picked that up ML
  It ain't rocket science speak to any spud & the quickly reveal
  themselves All they wet dream about is following the Arse

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