Michael Owen predicts Everton v Arsenal clash
Michael Owen is backing Arsenal to inflict more misery on Everton with a 2-1 win over the Blues at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.
That would extend Everton’s winless run to seven games after three draws and three defeats heading into the game.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side desperately need to arrest their alarming slump, but ex-Liverpool striker Owen doesn’t fancy them to do it in North London.
Writing in his regular column for BetVictor, Owen said, “They [Arsenal] have an impressive record on their own patch against Everton. Undefeated in this fixture on home soil since 1996, this has the look of a winnable match against their Merseyside rivals.
“On top of that, Everton arrive here in rather indifferent form. The Toffees are without a win in six and although it could be argued they were worth more than a point last week against Spurs, their defensive display really let them down.
“With neither side at their best in recent weeks, I believe this will be tight, however, Everton look really shaky at the back just now, so I’m going for a home win.”
Remember December
Owen’s pretty down-trodden on our chances, but we shouldn’t be too surprised given his allegiance to the Reds.
He should probably attach greater significance to the fact that the Gunners will be without two of their key players, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. [Arsenal club website]
Meanwhile, we have plenty of players coming back into the squad after injury absences, with the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in particular sure to give the Blues a big boost. [Everton club website]
Mikel Arteta’s side are coming off the back of a dodgy run of results themselves with just two wins in their last seven, with one of those against rock-bottom Sheffield United.
The reverse fixture at Goodison Park in December saw us claim a 2-1 victory with a winner from Yerry Mina, so we should feel confident of achieving a positive result tonight.
In other Everton news, key defender dropped in two changes – see our predicted Blues XI v Arsenal.
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