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

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!!