Arsenal vs. Everton: Key Takeaways from Arsene Wenger's Pre-Match Presser

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that forwards Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud can operate in tandem at the point of the attack, as the Gunners gear up for a clash against Everton.

Three points for the Gunners against their opponents from Merseyside would see Arsenal take top spot in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby and Wenger addressed a plethora of issues at his weekly press conference before the match.

With Aaron Ramsey set to miss the game with injury and Alexis Sanchez “exhausted” after the historic 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in midweek, the Gunners may be a little short on attacking options. But the manager hinted he could start both Walcott and Giroud for the Everton clash.

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“The most important thing is they [Walcott and Giroud] contribute goals,” said Wenger, per Hamish Mackay of the Daily Mirror. “… They can work together. It is a case of balancing the team. There is also Alexis Sanchez. Both are extremely strong in their game.”

Sky Sports News HQ took a look at how the two forwards have compared so far this season:

The Frenchman was also insistent that although Walcott has been doing an excellent job at the point of the attack as of late, it’s important to alternate which player is leading the line, per the Arsenal Twitter feed:

Wenger had particularly high praise for a couple of players likely to be decisive in this game: Everton’s Ross Barkley and the Gunners’ Mesut Ozil.

Barkley has been enjoying a fine campaign for the Toffees and has turned in some excellent displays at the Emirates Stadium in recent seasons. Wenger admitted he has liked what he’s seen from the Everton youngster so far this term.

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“For me he is one of the most promising young players,” said the Arsenal boss. “He is a special talent. He has massive potential. He has absolute power and is certainly one of the most promising.”

Ozil is another player who has been hugely impressive in the Premier League so far. While there has been some criticism that suggests the German doesn’t turn it on in the big games, he was outstanding in the victory over Bayern on Tuesday, wrapping up the win with a late goal.

Wenger heralded his playmaker as a top talent, but challenged him to get on the scoresheet on a more regular basis:

The Arsenal boss was also asked about the fixtures to come over the Christmas period. One of the reasons recently cited for some for English teams’ poor performance in the Champions League is the lack of a winter break, while Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal recently branded the schedule as “evil.”

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However, it’s an assessment Wenger disagreed with, revealing he loves the festive fixtures. “I have a lot of respect for LVG, but I don’t agree with him on that,” said the Arsenal boss. “Today I would cry if you change that because it is part of English tradition and football. On December 26, the whole of Europe comes to watch those games.”

Wenger also provided updates on the fitness of some key players, confirming Ramsey will be out, but Gabriel Paulista could be back, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

Per Mackay, the Arsenal manager also revealed he “regrets” starting Ramsey against Watford last weekend after a strenuous international break with Wales. Wenger added he had asked England manager Roy Hodgson not play Walcott during England’s clash with Lithuania because the match was on a plastic pitch; the Arsenal man was an unused substitute in Vilnius. 

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If Arsenal were to get the better of Everton, it’d be the first time they were top of the table since the 2013-14 term. For a team and manager who were highly scrutinised over the summer after making just one major signing in Petr Cech, that’d be a marvellous position to be in after 10 games.

The Toffees are dangerous opponents, and in Barkley they have a player who can do some damage against the Gunners. But after wins in their last three matches, confidence is high at the Emirates and Wenger will be confident his team have enough to scale the summit with another rounded showing.