Arsenal v Everton - Sun 8th Dec 2013 4pm - Emirates Stadium

1. How have you found the season so far

Fantastic. Everything seems to be clicking and we're top of our CL group and the Prem. Couldn't ask for more. Emergence of Ramsey has been huge (although I called it) and Özil has been a welcome spark in our side, not only on the pitch but giving us an incredible lift off it.

2. Are you genuine contenders this year or has lady luck been kind so far?

7 points clear it's difficult to say we're not. Every team rides their luck over the course of the season and we've beaten big teams and small in an efficient matter. I'm not a big Giroud fan so I'd say if we want to seriously be at top spot come may we'd need a striker in January.

3. Arsene Wenger: Is there a better football manager out there and how would you describe him?

Depends, no-one quite knows what was going on behind the scenes for the past 8 years, whether we had money to spend or not. If we did and Wenger has only realised just now that we needed to spend then of course that's a massive mistake on his part. The other option is that we spent what little we had and now we are ready to compete money-wise with the big boys, in which case it was a fantastic feat by Wenger to keep us stable despite having so little money, and if he continues to spend and finally manage this team to a trophy then he'd probably be the best out there; or at least equal footing with Guardiola. Describe Wenger? Classy, proud and caring.

4. Why the recent lack of success and how can you change your fortunes?

Either no money to spend or a manager that doesn't want to spend it, so many conflicting reports, it's best not to go into it. We seem to be changing our fortunes with the signing of Ozil, and continuous investment with a top striker will surely see a change in fortunes.

5. What do you think of Everton as a club, our style of football, and our fans?

Everton seems to a be a club that everyone respects. Good manager that likes to play football, always been a good team in recent years but rarely great, good stadium and fan base. Classy club

6. Can you pick an 11 man team plus bench from both sides?

Inc. injuries


Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Baines
Arteta Ramsey
Walcott Özil Cazorla
Lukaku


Howard, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Barkley, Wilshere, Deulofeu, Giroud

Although Chambo & Podolski would get in there if they were fit. You'd probably question Szczesny over Howard but the former has been something else this season.

7. What are your realistic expectations this year?

A trophy.

8. What will be the final score and scorer if any?

2-1 Arsenal

Ramsey, Walcott & Deulofeu

1. It's going great for us. We've seen huge improvements from our individuals and we're developing as a team match by match. It's also fun to see others to struggle. Tottenham lost Bale, spent tons but they are not clicking, United is getting better but made us lol with results and performance at times.

2. Yes we're contenders. It's not just this season, we've closed the last one on form, we were 2nd in calendar year before this season. We still haven't played other two contenders but we've managed to beat some teams they struggled. We're also leading a very tough CL group, that shows good signs too.

3. Tough one. If clubs transfer moves stays same and we were losing stars for money, not spending enough, getting youngsters etc. I say no. He has done very good job at using his personel and getting maximum out of them, especially last season. He's fine on pitch. But you can also blame Wenger for what happened and you can bring someone else who has a diffirent approach, someone eager to spend to improve or can keep what he has and they might be succesful. At the end, he didn't win a trophy for long time for Arsenal, it should be hard to do that.

4. Change of football and us struggling to keep up with it, the stadium money didn't help at this part. We've lost key guys to Barcelona, they're the star of the past 10 years. They can get most players they like and footballers can't say no to them and you can't blame them. Then we lost stars to big spenders like Chelsea and City. That hurted more because we were also trying to compete with them. Also again Wenger/board had a part at this.

5. I like watching Everton. They always have players I like in Arteta, Cahill, Osman, Jagielka, Fellaini, Baines etc. Not just footballers, I like overall playing style and managers too. Moyes was good and Martinez was a great choice.

6.
Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Baines
Ramsey Arteta
Wilshere Özil Mirallas
Lukaku

Howard, Jagielka, Gibbs, Barkley, Flamini, Cazorla, Podolski


I also would like to have Coleman as future replacement for Sagna.

7. I said 2nd at the end of last season, with a chase until around last month. I don't know now. We're looking good. I'll stick with 2nd place and QF for CL.

8. 2-1 Giroud

Good luck for season. Hope you finish well.

1. How have you found the season so far

The big teams have been very inconsistent but that's probably understandable given they're still all in transition, whereas we've stayed consistent and picking up points where we should. The signing of Özil has been huge too and I believe it's the start of a new era at the club.

2. Are you genuine contenders this year or has lady luck been kind so far?
I think we're in with a chance if we're still around the top by the new year. The January window (a new striker is badly needed) and the way we handle our difficult fixtures in Feb/March will determine if we can go all the way. As of now, I still think one of City/Chelsea will win it.

3. Arsene Wenger: Is there a better football manager out there and how would you describe him?
He is the best manager in the league after Fergusons departure and I probably wouldn't swap him for any other manager out there at this time. His major flaw was not spending any money but that's hopefully changed with the landmark Özil signing. He's put his own reputation on the line for the long-term success of the club and is a true legend. Definitely deserves a statue outside the stadium after he leaves.

4. Why the recent lack of success and how can you change your fortunes?
The stadium move and lack of money spent would probably be the main reason. We've been close (CL final, 2 COC finals and the 2007/08 and 2010/11 PL seasons where we were arguably one signing away from the title.
I believe we've got something special with this group of players and they seem to have the mentality that's been missing since the invincibles.

5. What do you think of Everton as a club, our style of football, and our fans?
Everton are one of my favourite teams to watch and I've always said I want Roberto Martinez to manage Arsenal after Wenger calls it a day. It would be nice to see Everton win a trophy some time soon too.

6. Can you pick an 11 man team plus bench from both sides?

Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Baines
Arteta Ramsey
Walcott Özil Cazorla
Lukaku


Subs:- Howard, Distin, Coleman, Barkley, Mirallas, Wilshere, Giroud

7. What are your realistic expectations this year?
Top 4 but much closer to the champions and the FA Cup, hopefully past the last 16 in the champions league too.

8. What will be the final score and scorer if any?
2-1 Arsenal
Lukaku to score for Everton, Ramsey and Giroud for us.

Many thanks and good luck for the season.
Good luck to Everton, hopefully you guys can finish above Liverpool this year.