By Chris Harris
Liverpool was tricky, Manchester United was tough, but Saturday's trip to Everton could be Arsenal's sternest test of the season so far.
Arsène Wenger's side have a pretty mediocre record at Goodison Park while David Moyes' side are one of the Premier League's form horses. Their only defeat in 14 matches was an ill-deserved, last-gasp loss at Old Trafford before Christmas.
Everton have pace, power, creativity and, since the signing of Yakubu and the return to fitness of Tim Cahill, a real cutting edge. If any team is going to break into the 'Big Four' this season, you suspect it will be them.
We spoke to Dominic King of the Liverpool Echo ahead of Saturday's game at Goodison Park. Read on for his take on Everton's season so far, the influence of Cahill, the impact of the new signings and the tactical approach of Moyes.
THE STORY SO FAR
"They have been in terrific form. Whether the Merseyside derby
defeat was the thing they needed to jolt them into life I don't
know but it certainly seems that way. The run of form has been
fantastic. This is comfortably the best squad David Moyes has had.
The significant thing now is when he takes one of his big guns out
of the team he's got quality to replace them with. They say you
need two players for every position and it's definitely getting
that way. The top four and the Champions League will certainly be
the aim. Christmas is a hugely important time so they need to keep
their run of form going with some tough games ahead."
MAN OF THE MOMENT
"The goals that Tim Cahill brings from midfield are absolutely
phenomenal. He's got the knack of being in the right place at
the right time which is absolutely priceless for a manager to be
able to call upon. But not only that, people underestimate the
drive and determination Cahill brings to the team. He can make
things happen in games when things might be going a bit flat. Mikel
Arteta is also important to Everton but the pressure has been taken
off him a little by the form of Steven Pienaar, who's on loan
from Borussia Dortmund. His influence has grown and grown with
every game he plays."
NEW FACES
"Leighton Baines has been terrific, I think he'll be
England's left back in a couple of years, maybe even next
season. He's got everything you want from a defender. Jagielka
is settling in and in recent weeks he's looked like he's
got to grips with things. Yakubu's goals have been a huge
bonus, he's right up there with the top scorers in the league
and I think this will be the season where he'll finally get 20
goals. There aren't any obvious areas which need strengthening
in the Everton squad but the manager has made no secret of the fact
that he wants to bring in another midfielder, maybe someone with a
bit of stature, someone with strength who can pick a pass. He might
be after a left-sided midfielder as well but I don't think
there's a pressing need to bring players in as there was a
couple of years ago."
TALKING TACTICS
"David Moyes will set Everton up the same way he always does.
He favours a 4-1-4-1 formation with Lee Carsley sitting deep in
midfield and Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar and maybe Thomas Gravesen and
then Yakubu up front. As usual Everton will be difficult to beat
and they will try to cause problems if and when they can."
IMPRESSIONS OF ARSENAL
"I think the view of Arsenal on Merseyside is the same around
the country. They are a fabublous side, comfortably the best in the
league to watch. Arsène Wenger has done an absolutely magnificent
job, they have a really impressive team developing. It's always
good to see Arsenal at Goodison because you know they are going to
play good football."
