Arsenal have started making steady progress under Mikel Arteta, with back to back wins and clean sheets following a succession of draws.
The Gunners face another resurgent side in Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton this weekend, with both sides looking to continue their and stake their claim for a European place.
The Toffees have breathed new life into their season under Carlo Ancelotti, with the Italian taking them from 18th to 9th, just five points off the top four.
As such, it will be a difficult game for Arteta’s men in front of their home fans, and pundits Mark Lawrenson and Michael Owen have given their predictions ahead of the game.
Mark Lawrenson - 2-0 Arsenal - BBC Sport
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has had a more obvious impact with results in his first two months in charge than his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, who was appointed at the same time.
We know how good Ancelotti is and he has turned things round at Everton very quickly. I still think the Gunners have improved under Arteta, though.
This is a decent test of the progress both managers have made, and it is a tough call to say who will win it because both teams still have flaws.
But Arsenal ended up winning very comfortably at home against Newcastle last weekend and the fact they are back at the Emirates again makes them favourites for me.
Michael Owen - Arsenal win - BetVictor
Arsenal put four past Newcastle in the second half at the Emirates on Sunday, but they faced a difficult looking trip to Greece in the Europa League on Thursday and Everton will provide a stern test for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Only Liverpool (24) have picked up more points since Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Everton (17) at the beginning of December, but the Blues have arguably had a good run of fixtures and we will know more about the long-term future of many of this current Everton squad after their next four league fixtures which reads: Arsenal (A), Man United (H), Chelsea (A) and Liverpool (H).
It promises to be a most informative game which I think Arsenal will edge.
