12 things you SHOULD know about Arsenal v Everton

Here are 12 things you should know about Arsenal and Everton before kick-off this afternoon:

1. Arsenal beat Wigan 4-0 in their last Premier League outing, with goals from Gervinho, Mikel Arteta, Thomas Vermaelen, and league top scorer Robin van Persie.

2. Gervinho’s goal was just his second in the Premier League this season, from 19 goal attempts.

3. Arteta’s goal saw him leap ten places in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index in to 15th place. That was the Spaniard’s fourth of the season, and he also won 63% of his 20 attempted tackles.

4. Arteta has over taken Man City’s David Silva as the player to complete the most passes in his opponent’s half this season with an incredible 487 passes, or one every 2 minutes 26 seconds.

5. Vermaelen’s goal was his second in successive games, though the defender has used his heading prowess more for defensive duties with 12 clearances so far this season.

6. Van Persie’s 14th goal of the season finally closed the gap on Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index to give top spot to the Dutchman and make him officially the best player in the Premier League so far this season.

7. Van Persie has had 62 efforts at goal, giving him an impressive chance conversion rate of 23%.

8. Everton fared less well but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stoke in their last game.

9. Marouane Fellaini once again covered the most ground for Everton against Stoke with 5.79 miles.

10. Jack Rodwell has asked for Everton to respond immediately to the defeat against Stoke. Rodwell has scored twice so far this season, and has won 14 of 18 tackles attempted.

11. Everton have been accused of not creating enough chances, yet Leighton Baines has delivered 38 crosses so far this season, second only to Norwich’s Marc Tierney this season.

12. Louis Saha has had the most chances fall to him, having had 27 efforts at goal including 17 on target with a return of just one Premier League goal.

Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Gunnersphere

Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.

Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.