The Russian has some big shoes to fill but if he can find his best form then he is fully capable of stepping up to the plate and producing the goods. Nasri was very important to the team because of his link up with Cesc and Van Persie, so it will be interesting to see how Arshavin plays with his creative

Arsenal return to the Emirates to face the Toffee’s in Arsene’s number one priority competition. The choice of players in these regular games tells everyone what is really important and what we will try and grab if we can. We will try and win the other cups if our squad players can perform to a high enough standard.

That standard wasn’t reached on the weekend but the result was the right one. With the injury to Samir Nasri and the lack of performance, it almost feels like a defeat and I have to keep reminding myself that we were picked out of the hat in the next round and not Huddersfield who gave a great account of themselves on the day.

The usual faces will return to the starting line up. Gael Clichy, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott all bring a higher level of energy to the side, Alex Song should return to add stability to the center of the park whilst Robin Van Persie who has scored 7 goals in his last 6 games will add the firepower and guile in attack. Cesc Fabregas should come back into the team after scoring the winning penalty on the weekend.

The only real decision Arsene Wenger has to make is who will be given the rather difficult task of replacing player of the season Samir Nasri. Nicklas Bendtner’s recent improvement of form and goals gives him a chance of being a candidate but the money would be on Andrey Arshavin who is starting to look like the Andrey Arshavin of old. Perhaps his stint on the first team bench has given him the hunger needed to regain his best form. His last ditch tackle over the weekend is proof of that.

The last time that this group of players played together was two games ago against a Wigan team who had their goalkeeper to thank for escaping embarrassment. I hope that they can click back into place as if they haven’t been away, that will be my worry until I watch the first five minutes of tonight’s game.

Everton have only won once since Christmas in the Premier League and that was an expected victory against Tottenham at Goodison Park, having said that, they have only lost once in that period, filling the rest of those fixtures with three draws.

Everton came to the Emirates last season and produced one of the best away performances of the season, they pressed from the front and closed us down all over the pitch and once they got possession they matched our passing. Both teams are in different form this season and I would imagine that it will be Arsenal that will be taking the game to Everton.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Andrey Arshavin

The Russian has some big shoes to fill but if he can find his best form then he is fully capable of stepping up to the plate and producing the goods.
Nasri was very important to the team because of his link up with Cesc and Van Persie, so it will be interesting to see how Arshavin plays with his creative team mates.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction:

Arsenal 2 (Van Persie, Walcott) Everton 1

Everton as always will be a difficult team to play against and they will not make it easy for us to pass and move. Will the team be a little out of sync without having played for a few games, even if the line up against Ipswich at home was pretty strong. How will the team play without the dribbling and goal threat of Nasri?

Many of the players should be well rested whilst our opponents had a tough FA Cup tie against Chelsea at the weekend in which many of the players that will be on show would have played in so I wouldn’t be surprised if we stepped up in the second half after a tough start.

Home victories from now on please Arsenal.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.