Arsenal and Everton square off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon with just two points separating the teams in the Premier League table.
While Arsenal have put together a six-match unbeaten streak in the top flight, Everton have lost just one of their last 11 league outings.
Match preview
© Reuters
There were times earlier this season when it was unclear when Arsenal would keep their next clean sheet, an ongoing concern when Mikel Arteta was named as the long-term successor to Unai Emery.
Having recorded three shutouts in a row, Gunners supporters are now feeling optimistic about the development of a talented squad which has under-performed in recent years.
Any worries about Arteta's lack of managerial experience have now disappeared, with the Spaniard's calls for his players 'to enjoy defending' music to the ears of fans who have watched poor displays at the back undermine their efforts at the other end of the pitch.
Arsenal remain far away from being the finished article, as well as still being seven points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, but there is now belief that they can at least secure European football for next season.
At a time when clean sheets have been kept against Burnley, Newcastle United and Olympiacos respectively, Alexandre Lacazette has ended his goal drought with two strikes in successive matches.
© Reuters
Although the Frenchman was dropped for Eddie Nketiah against Newcastle last weekend, the decision appears to have had the desired effort on the more experienced frontman, who is aware that he is no longer guaranteed a place in the team.
Arteta's stance of naming teams based on performances in training over reputation is currently working in his favour, with the former midfielder able to see who he wants in his first-team squad ahead of the following campaign.
While the focus remains on the short term and getting Arsenal up the Premier League table, Arteta is aware that the impending reshuffle in personnel is just as important if the club are going to return to the upper echelons of English football.
The same can be said of Everton, with Duncan Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti having contributed to 22 points being recorded from their last 11 fixtures in the top flight.
That kind of run appeared extremely unlikely when the Toffees found themselves close to the relegation zone in November, and it is now up to Ancelotti to ensure that his team can push on towards the top four.
© Reuters
Although Everton face consecutive games against Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, the upcoming period represents an ideal chance to make up further ground at a time when their rivals are involved in other competitions.
Ancelotti will have small concerns regarding the defensive side of their game, with just one shutout being recorded from eight attempts in all competitions.
Nevertheless, the form of Everton's attack-minded players is as good as anyone in the Premier League right now, a drastic improvement on the return under Marco Silva.
While Dominic Calvert-Lewin is naturally grabbing the headlines as he continues to shine under Ancelotti, Richarlison remains the key man with 12 goal involvements to his name.
Ancelotti has work to do when it comes to Gylfi Sigurdsson, however, as the playmaker waits for his first goal since October 19.
If the Iceland international can add a finishing touch to his overall solid performances, it could make the difference to Everton as they bid to earn another appearance on the continent.
Arsenal Premier League form: WDDDDW
Arsenal form (all competitions): DDWDWW
Everton Premier League form: LWDDWW
Everton form (all competitions): LWDDWW
Team News
© Reuters
After missing the Olympiacos game due to his partner giving birth, Mesut Ozil is expected to return to the starting lineup.
Nicolas Pepe should also feature on the right flank, although Lucas Torreira may only be named on the substitutes' bench after illness.
With Hector Bellerin returning at right-back, Shkodran Mustafi will feature alongside David Luiz in the centre of the backline.
As for Everton, Fabian Delph is likely to return in midfield after serving a one-match suspension.
Although Ancelotti has a number of options regarding his formation, Delph may line up with Morgan Schneiderlin, leaving Sigurdsson to move further forward.
While Theo Walcott may miss out against his former club due to injury, Alex Iwobi is pushing for a start on his return to North London.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka; Xhaka, Ceballos; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne; Schneiderlin, Delph; Iwobi, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
Head To Head
Sunday's meeting will represent the 204th competitive fixture between the two clubs, with Arsenal recording 106 wins in comparison to 61 victories for Everton.
Despite the wide deficit from an historical perspective, Everton are unbeaten in the last two contests, both of which have taken place at Goodison Park.
The Merseyside outfit have not defeated Arsenal in North London since January 1996, when Andrei Kanchelskis netted a late winner in a 2-1 triumph at Highbury.
We say: Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Everything points to this turning out to be a competitive battle in North London. Everton will fancy their chances of extending their advantage over Arsenal, although we favour the home side to dig deep to get another three points on the board.
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a win with a probability of 47.16%. A draw had a probability of 26.9% and a win for had a probability of 25.94%.
The most likely scoreline for a win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.97%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (9.18%) and 2-1 (8.94%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (12.64%), while for a win it was 0-1 (8.94%).
