Morning all.

Reports in the newspapers this morning suggest Lukas Podolski will not be in the squad for today’s game. If true, he’s either injured or off in my opinion and considering there has been no injury disclosed, one has to draw the conclusion the he’s off. Juventus are the latest club linked.

The second is Sami Khedira. He was left out of the Real Madrid side last night which lost to Atletico and saw the chance of their first trophy fall by the wayside. It’s no secret that Madrid are keen to sell their midfielder but it seems strange that no move has yet materialised. I have my own cunning theory that should we win on Wednesday, he’ll be ours, although Bayern are reported to be interested as well.

Come on Sami, come join Mesut……

Back on the 6th April this year we travelled to Everton and got battered 3-0. It was a horrid day, one of a few in the latter part of last season. We didn’t travel well and certainly not when facing sides with a bit of pace and Everton certainly had that, as well as a bit of bite.

The match was very different to the 4-1 victory at The Emirates the month before.

We’ve struggled against Everton in the league of late, in fact other than the loss away from home, a draw has been the outcome in the previous fixtures.

We had injury worries back then too, Koscielny was out, Ramsey started on the bench having just recovered, Ozil was injured as was Gibbs which meant Monreal, just about fit himself, had to deputise and he had a torrid time up against Lukaku. Their midfield ruled ours and we weren’t helped by Arteta scoring an own goal.

Sanogo came on with twenty minutes or so and should have chalked up his first goal for Arsenal. Annoyingly and wrongly, it was ruled offside.

That defeat back in April though was our last…..

Everton have made a few additions this summer, the pick of the bunchΒ being , Gareth Barry from City, Lukaku on a permanent deal and James McCarthy.

Ross Barkley is out injured tough which is always pleasing to hear when we are playing Everton and Lukaku is a doubt which would also be welcome news.

We all know who we have signed and I think they will make a big difference today and of course we’ll have Ramsey from the start. Koscielny plays too which is key to our defence and Yaya Sanogo has recovered from his hamstring. I know he’s not a fans favourite yet, but he can be a real pain for defenders as he proved against Liverpool at home last season. They don’t know what he’s going to do at all, perhaps that’s because the player isn’t too sure either… lol

Our German trio are available for selection today but as said earlier it’s rumoured that Lukas Podolski will not be in the squad as he’s expected to leave. Whether that’s true or not I don’t know.

Arsene Wenger has a few big decisions to make today with Wednesdays match on his mind no doubt. I hope we start with Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez on the pitch at the same time….

I can’t see a repeat of the April scoreline, I really can’t and if every one of our players put a 100% shift in, I think we’ll have enough to win this fixture, or certainly not lose it. Martinez won’t set his side up to park the bus that’s for sure, he’ll get his players out of the blocks early and quickly and we have to be ready for the onslaught.

Then get a grip of the game, take control and then go for the jugular.

There’s been a lot of talk from Arsene Wenger and Aaron Ramsey about how we won’t be bullied this season.

Well today, go and prove it.

COYYRG’s…..