Everton v Arsenal
Thursday 21st August 2014
Team NewsSeamus Coleman is in line to return to the starting 11 after returning from injury with a late substitute appearance in the draw against Leicester City.
James McCarthy will also be fit after shaking off a knock.
Ross Barkley, Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo will miss the game, but Darron Gibson is in contention.
Arsenal will monitor the fitness of Yaya Sanogo after the striker missed the midweek game against Besiktas but Kieran Gibbs is definitely out after picking up a hamstring injury during the league opener against Crystal Palace.
Theo Walcott remains sidelined as he continues his rehab from a long-term lay off. Ex-Everton man Mikel Arteta is also injured.
Arsenal grabbed all three points on the opening day of the Premier League season after a stoppage-time winner from Aaron Ramsey helped defeat Crystal Palace 2-1.
They subsequently drew 0-0 with Besiktas in Instanbul in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
In terms of pre-season, it was a positive one for the Gunners.
They clinched the eye-catching signing of Sanchez from Barcelona along with promising youngster Calum Chambers from Southampton and France international Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle.
On the field, Arsene Wenger's side won two out of four pre-season games before beating Premier League Champions Manchester City 3-0 in the Charity Shield at Wembley.
A late equaliser from Chris Wood denied Everton three points at Leicester last weekend after Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith had given the Blues a 2-1 lead over the Premier League newcomers.
Lukaku celebrates after scoring in last season's 3-0 win
Last MeetingEverton 3-0 Arsenal, Sunday 6th April 2014
Everton produced the defining performance of their season to crush Arsenal and move to within a single point of the fourth-placed Gunners in the race for Champions League qualification.
Naismith got the ball rolling on 14 minutes before Romelu Lukaku's wonderful solo run and shot gave the Blues a comfortable and fully deserved 2-0 half-time lead.
Former Blue Mikel Arteta toed the ball into his own net on the hour mark to put the result beyond any doubt as Goodison rejoiced in a comprehensive victory.
One to WatchAaron Ramsey
Ramsey joined Arsenal from Cardiff City in the summer of 2008, aged just 17. the Gunners beat Everton and Man Utd to the signature of the highly rated midfielder who had already starred in South Wales.
He took time to bed in at the Emirates and had to battle back from a horrendous broken leg suffered in 2010. But last season the Welshman scored 16 goals in 34 appearances to announce himself as one of the best Premier League midfielders.
Leon Osman battles it out with Aaron Ramsey
Injury prevented him challenging for player of the season recognition but he was back to notch a dramatic winner in the FA Cup final to seal a stunning personal campaign.
He also scored in the Charity Shield win over Manchester City two weeks ago, as well as the last minute winner against Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
Ramsey was sent off against Besiktas in midweek, meaning he is almost certain to start on Saturday.
Source: Everton fc