Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter as Arsenal play host to Everton at the Emirates Stadium. We should have some team news through for you shortly...

EVERTON: Howard; Oviedo, Distin, Jagielka, Coleman; McCarthy, Barry, Pienaar, Barkley, Mirallas; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Heitinga, Jelavic, Deulofeu, Osman, Stones, Naismith

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has made no changes to his starting XI following their 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in midweek. Who can blame him?

ARSENAL: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Rosicky, Walcott, Monreal, Flamini, Bendtner

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has opted to make four changes to his side after their midweek win over Hull City. Olivier Giroud returns in attack for the Gunners while Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Kieran Gibbs are also recalled. Tomas Rosicky, Mathieu Flamini, Nacho Monreal and Nicklas Bendtner drop to the bench.

So, what's at stake for these two teams today? Arsenal start the day knowing that a win would take them seven points clear at the top of the table heading into the festive period. That would be some lead if they can get it. The Gunners have won six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.

However, they come up against an Everton side who will be full of confidence after beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in midweek. Roberto Martinez's man are currently in fifth place in the standings but will move into the Champions League places if they earn the win at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

4 - Everton are looking to keep four consecutive PL clean sheets away from home for the first time since 1995. Challenge. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2013

UPDATE: Today's only other match in the Premier League has just finished at Craven Cottage and Fulham have a much-needed win thanks to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Steve Sidwell got the home side on their way before a Dimitar Berbatov penalty sealed the points.

You can read our full-time report of that match right here.

Anyway, back to business. Yesterday could hardly have gone better for both Arsenal and Everton as many of the teams around them at the top of the table dropped points.

Needless to say, but both managers will be fully aware of how big a game this is today. However, Arsene Wenger has plenty more experience than Roberto Martinez when it comes to these crunch fixtures high up the table. Could that prove important today?

HEAD TO HEAD: When it comes to past meetings between these sides, Arsenal have the far superior record. The Gunners have won 94 matches compared to the Toffees' 54. Meanwhile, there have been 40 draws since their first encounter back in 1905.

That said, Everton earned two credible draws against Arsenal in both fixtures last season. A 1-1 draw took place at Goodison Park in November before a goalless stalemate at the Emirates Stadium in April.

7 - Everton are unbeaten in their last seven PL games, three more than any other team currently (Man City 4). Form. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2013

Everton earned their first win at Old Trafford since 1992 on Wednesday and they are looking to break a similar hoodoo at Arsenal today. The Toffees last beat the Gunners away from home back in 1996.

REFEREE WATCH: The man in the middle for today's encounter will be Howard Webb.

It's a nice touch from the Arsenal players as they wear t-shirts dedicated to former player and assistant manager Pat Rice, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

The @Arsenal team are wearing special 'Pat Rice - Get Well Soon' T-shirts today, and here's Theo sporting one: pic.twitter.com/z8N6yylK51

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 8, 2013

UPDATE: It's also the draw for the third round of the FA Cup today. For those who are interested, we'll let you know who Arsenal and Everton get when it's made at 4pm.

PREDICTION TIME: So, how is this one going to go today? Everton are sure to make a right good go of it considering their recent form, but they come up against an Arsenal side who have the incentive of a seven-point lead at the top of the table with a win. However, this one could well end in a draw as the two teams cancel each other out.

The players emerge from the tunnel to a fantastic reception from the fans inside the Emirates Stadium. Both sets of supporters know how big this game is today.

The pre-match rituals have been completed, and it will be Everton to kick us off. Here we go!

It's been a fairly busy start from both sets of players, but it's Everton who have the early momentum. The visitors are passing the ball around with real intent, trying to use the flanks to their benefit.

Everton continue to look the more lively as they ask questions of the Arsenal defence. Mirallas drilled a teasing low cross into the box a couple of minutes ago, but it was just a yard behind the dangerous Lukaku.

This is a bit better from Arsenal, who have been slow out of the blocks it must be said. Ozil and Cazorla in particular are starting to pose one or two problems for the Everton defence with their direct running and silky link-up play.

Something of a half-chance for Everton as Barkley's long-range effort is deflected wide for a corner. However, nothing comes of the resulting set piece for the visitors as Distin eventually scuffs his shot wide.

One area where Arsenal have been disappointing so far is their passing. The Gunners have given the ball away a few times now, heralding a few familiar groans from the home fans. Meanwhile, Everton are still looking more energised than their opponents.

Still no genuine chances to talk about for either side, but Arsenal are starting to see a bit more of the ball now. However, Everton are certainly making them work hard to create any openings.

UPDATE: The FA Cup third round draw is currently being made, but Arsenal and Everton are already out of the hat. Everton will host Queens Park Rangers while Arsenal entertain... Tottenham Hotspur! What a draw that is!

CHANCE! Everton threaten as Mirallas receives the ball out wide, but he can only smash his effort high and wide from a tight angle. He had Lukaku in the middle waiting for a cross there.

Everton may have had the best of the early stages, but this is a pretty even contest now. However, there is still very little to report of in terms of goalmouth action. Coleman has just had a sight of goal and blasted the ball well over.

CHANCE! What a cross from Cazorla! The Spaniard delivered an enticing ball in from the right towards Giroud, but the Arsenal striker just couldn't reach to get on the end of it. He must have been an inch away from making a connection there.

Half and hour played and it's Everton who are beginning to seize control of the match again. There's just a slight air of restlessness in the stands at the Emirates Stadium as the hosts struggled to get hold of the ball. The visitors are passing them to death at the moment.

Everton are looking very dangerous on the break right now. Arsenal are enjoying their moments in the opposition third, but the away side are powering upfield with pace whenever they get the chance. That said, the final pass just isn't there for them as they go in search of the opening goal of this match.

Arsenal have missed Mathieu Flamini so far this afternoon, it must be said. The Frenchman offers them a steeliness which has been lacking today.

Arsene Wenger is having a chat with fourth official Anthony Taylor following a couple of hefty challenges on his players. For all of Everton's finesse, they also know how to mix it up when needs be.

This is more like it from Arsenal. They've threaded a couple of promising attacks together in the last few minutes, giving their fans something to shout about in the process. Not long left to go until half time.

SAVE! Good opening for Arsenal as Giroud is played through, but Howard is quick off his line to palm the Frenchman's dinked effort away. Meanwhile, Gareth Barry goes into the book as Howard Webb brings play back for an earlier foul.

SAVE! Arsenal create similar chance to the one a few minutes ago as Ramsey finds a way through the Everton defence, but Howard is there again to make the save.

One minute added time...

Howard Webb blows the half-time whistle and it's 0-0 between Arsenal and Everton. The hosts came alive towards the end of that opening 45 minutes, but it was Everton who dominated much of the half.

Arsene Wenger is sure to be having a few words with his players right about now, though he is likely to be happy with how they reacted at the end of the half. Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey were both denied by Tim Howard as the Gunners came alive.

UDPATE: We've already had one result in the Premier League today and it was a good one for Fulham as they eased their relegation woes with a 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa. Steve Sidwell and Dimitar Berbatov scored the goals for the strugglers.

You can read our half-time report from the Emirates Stadium right here.

The players are back out and it looks like there have been no changes for either side at the break as Arsenal get us back underway.

It's been an encouraging start to the second half for Arsenal, who have enjoyed a lot of the ball in Everton territory. The Gunners win a corner, but nothing comes of it as Gibbs eventually shoots off target.

SAVE! Close for Arsenal! A cross from the right is hooked back across goal by Wilshere before Cazorla directs his header straight at Howard. The Gunners are knocking on the door here.

A couple of frustrated groans from the Arsenal fans as Giroud's cutback finds no one. The French striker was not supported well enough by his teammates there.

SAVE! Everton's first shot on target of the match comes from Pienaar, who sees his long-range strike pushed away by Szczesny. Everton fighting back a bit now.

SAVE! It's another great save from Howard, this time denying Ramsey. A lovely Arsenal move involving Wilshere, Cazorla and Gibbs ended up with the latter floating a cross to the back post. Ramsey was there to volley towards goal, but Howard managed to get to the shot before it crept into the post.

McCarthy whips in a devilish cross towards Lukaku, but the Everton striker fails to get on the end of it. The home side have been the better team in this second half so far, though the visitors are starting to assert themselves a bit more.

YELLOW CARD: James McCarthy goes into the book for Everton after clattering Aaron Ramsey when challenging for a high ball. The midfielder will miss his side's next game against Fulham.

0 - The last team to prevent Arsenal scoring in a Premier League game at the Emirates were Everton, back in April. Stranglehold.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2013

Mirallas runs at the Arsenal defence, but his threaded pass through to Lukaku is cut out by the Arsenal defence. That's where Everton have let themselves down today: for all of their possession and attacking intent, they've not really threatened too much in and around the opposition penalty area.

SUBSTITUTION: Arsenal are making three changes here as Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini replace Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere. Manager Arsene Wenger is playing his entire hand here as the Gunners look for a breakthrough.

SUBSTITUTION: Everton make their first change now as Steven Pienaar comes off for Leon Osman.

CHANCE! Almost an instant impact from Flamini, who shoots inches wide from the edge of the box following Giroud's layoff. It was a decent strike from the midfielder, but just a few inches the wrong side of the post.

Fifteen minutes left to play at the Emirates Stadium and we're still waiting our first goal. It's all very even at the moment as both teams probe away at each other. Everton will probably be pleased with the draw, though Arsenal know that it would be an incredible boost to move seven points clear at the top of the table with a win.

YELLOW CARD: Tim Howard goes into the book for Everton as he is adjudged to be time-wasting by Howard Webb. A bit harsh, that one.

CHANCE! Nearly the opening goal for Everton! Mirallas made a good run before getting a shot away on the angle, but Szczesny did well to get down low and push the ball away for a corner. However, the visitors can't make anything of it.

SUBSTITUTION: That was Mirallas's last input for Everton as he is replaced by Gerard Deulofeu.

Arsenal lead and it's Mesut Ozil with the goal! Rosicky's searching cross was headed back across the six-yard box by Walcott, and there was the German to shoot into the roof of the net from close range. What an important strike that could be in the context of the season.

10 - Mesut Ozil now has four goals and six assists in 12 Premier League appearances for Arsenal. Value.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2013

What a super equaliser for Everton as the substitute Gerard Deulofeu rifles the ball past Szczesny. Lukaku missed his initial effort with an overhead kick before the ball broke to Deulofeu on the right side of the Arsenal penalty area. The Spanish youngster then hammers the ball across goal and into the top far corner. Blistering stuff.

Time is ticking at the Emirates Stadium and it's Everton who look more comfortable as we enter the final stages of this match. Are we going to see a winner from either side?

YELLOW CARD: Gerard Deulofeu takes one for the team as he takes down Tomas Rosicky with Arsenal breaking high up the pitch.

There will be three minutes of added time...

CHANCE! Lukaku breaks for Everton but fires well over the crossbar instead of opting to pick out one of the teammates up with him in support. Meanwhile, Ross Barkley is replaced by Steven Naismith.

OFF THE BAR! Almost an incredible winner for Arsenal as Giroud hammers a powerful volley from about 30 yards against the crossbar. What a finish that could have been.

Howard Webb blows the full-time whistle and it's ended 1-1 between Arsenal and Everton. Mesut Ozil gave the hosts the lead with 11 minutes remaining before Gerard Deulofeu came off the bench to earn a point for the visitors with seven minutes to go.

Anyway, that's all from me but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from today's games right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for joining us and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!