Everton v. Arsenal: match thread

Everton vs. Arsenal
Kickoff: Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 2:45 PM EST
Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
Form: EVE DDWLD | ARS DDWWD
TV: foxsoccer.tv (subscribers only)
SBN Everton Blog: Royal Blue Mersey

In the land where the days and nights are hard, tonight will be a cold, early-winter affair for Arsenal at Goodison Park as they take on a squad that finds themselves suddenly filled with thoughts of a top-four finish in this highly-competitive EPL season thus far. All eyes in Mersey will look towards the blue side of Stanley Park in a couple hours, especially since The Cavern Club doesn't have a show tonight, and Arsene Wenger is surely hoping a good performance against the well-coached and disciplined Everton side will silence some of the "extreme criticism" that's sprouted up among sections of our fanbase with a vengeance recently.

Again, as Ted noted, the inclusion of Theo Walcott tonight is huge on two fronts: our offense is in need of the type of kick-start he's provided on multiple occasions this season, and we're going up against one of the better left backs in Leighton Baines. How Theo responds to the challenge in neutralizing and exploiting Baines, and if the squad can rally behind the return of the most dangerous player in the league (yes, I said it) and create opportunities and shots on goal, are the most important questions coming into tonight's match.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Naismith, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic.

Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Barkley, Vellios

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Walcott, Ramsey, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Giroud

Subs: Mannone, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Jenkinson, Gervinho, Gibbs

As always, feel free to comment on all the action below. Remember: always use a subject line, especially when posting pictures; make sure to preview your post, especially when posting pictures, to make sure they're not coming out too large for some reason; no linking to illegal streams of the match and, above all, be kind to your fellow supporters as well as any Everton supporters who wish to comment here.

COYMFG