Arsenal’s midweek postponement deprived them of an opportunity to move to within a point of the leaders, but they will be intent upon maintaining recent momentum against an Everton team who are steadily recovering their form. The Merseysiders’ heavy home defeat to Arsenal on the opening day of the season set a troubling tone that has left them marooned in the lower reaches, yet they arrive at the Emirates unbeaten in five league games – albeit with only one of those won – and apparently upwardly mobile again. Their hosts, even without Cesc Fábregas for another week, will test that newfound resilience. Dominic Fifield

Venue Emirates Stadium

Tickets Sold out

Last season Arsenal 3 Everton 1

Referee P Walton

This season’s matches 12 Y28, R2, 2.50 cards per game

sportingbet odds Arsenal 4-11 Everton 13-2 Draw 16-5

Arsenal

Subs from Fabianski, Mannone, Szczesny, Silvestre, Rosicky, Mérida, Vela, Barazite, Eastmond, Watt, Randall, Bartley

Doubtful None

Injured Fábregas (hamstring, 17 Jan), Senderos (foot, 17 Jan), Walcott (back, 17 Jan), Clichy (back, 23 Jan), Bendtner (groin, 27 Jan), Wilshere (hamstring, 23 Jan), Gibbs (ankle, Mar), Djourou (knee, Apr), Van Persie (ankle, May)

Suspended None

Unavailable Eboué, Song (Africa Cup of Nations)

Form guide WWWDWW

Disciplinary record Y27 R0

Leading scorer Fábregas 9

Everton

Subs from Nash, Osman, Donovan, Duffy, Mustafi, Coleman, Agard, Baxter, Wallace, Akpan, Vaughan, Gosling

Doubtful Hibbert (groin), Saha (hamstring)

Injured Rodwell (hamstring, 16 Jan), Distin (hamstring, 23 Jan), Anichebe (knee, Feb), Jagielka (knee, Feb), Arteta (knee, unknown)

Unavailable Jô (club suspension), Yakubu, Yobo (Africa Cup of Nations)

Suspended None

Form guide WDDDDL

Disciplinary record Y31 R1

Leading scorer Saha 10

Match pointers

• Arsenal have scored more goals against Everton (73) than any team have netted against any opponent in the Premier League

• Everton have lost 13 of their 14 visits to Arsenal in all competitions since their last win in north London (2-1 in January 1996)

• Arsenal have scored 31% of their goals from outside the box this season, the highest proportion in the division

• The 7-0 defeat at Highbury and the 6-1 loss at Goodison earlier this season represent Everton’s biggest away and home defeats respectively in the Premier League

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