Everton are likely to be without Darron Gibson, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman for Wednesday's Barclays Premier League meeting with Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Gibson is still struggling with a knee problem, while fellow midfielder Rodwell has suffered a slight recurrence of a hamstring injury and winger Coleman picked up a knock in the FA Cup draw with Sunderland on Saturday.

But playmaker Steven Pienaar is back available to Toffees boss David Moyes after being cup-tied for the Black Cats clash.

Both teams will take confidence from their recent form, with Arsenal having won five league games in a row while Everton's 3-0 derby defeat by Liverpool last week was their first loss in any competition for two months.

In that time they have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham at Goodison Park, and assistant Steve Round said: "We've had a really good run of form against the big teams of late so we are looking forward to it.

"It should be a cracking game because I think Arsenal are currently top of the league on current form, they've won five on the bounce in the Premier League, we've lost one in 11 so it should be a really good game, and one both teams will go out and try hard to win.''

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has shrugged off a minor calf problem to be fit.

Midfielder Abou Diaby has recovered from a hamstring injury, but will not be involved in the first team after a run-out for the reserves.

Francis Coquelin (hamstring) is close to a return, but centre-back Per Mertesacker (ankle) and midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) remain sidelined.

Robin van Persie has called on his Arsenal team-mates to push themselves to the "maximum'' over the remainder of the season - starting at Everton.

The Gunners head to Merseyside on the back of five straight Premier League wins which have catapulted them up into the top four.

Indeed, should results go their way this week, then the Gunners could even be third heading into the next round of fixtures.

Van Persie, though, knows nothing less than 100% commitment will produce the result needed at Goodison - where rivals Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been beaten this year.

"It is tough to play the way we all want. We need to be consistent and get a win over the line, like at Liverpool,'' Van Persie told Arsenal Player.

"We did it now, and we can enjoy it, but we need to show it again (at Everton) and it may even be a harder game, but we have to give it our maximum and see where it ends.''

Match

i hope and pray we Gunners to win this one. so we can dedicate the victory to our former player+++++++++Fabrice Muamba Get well soon

either arsenal loose or draw . . . . . either way is okay for me

chelseabmw: either arsenal loose or draw . . . . . either way is okay for me

TEVEZZZZZ....Does that ring bell in your ear, faded blues those who live a glass house no dey throw stones oooo

Arsenal for life..............

;DIf Everton love themselves, they'd better not score first oo!

UP GUNNERS!! - the comeback kings of the EPL!!!

No need to panic ! We've gat ROBIN.

everton na moi moi to arsenal, the worst of it d better not score first. up gooners

Arsenal have always known how to deal with Everton despite their proven "stuborness" to the other big four.

Arsenal all the wayyyyyy!!!

Does anyone knows when jack whilshere will be back? I miss than lad xo xo much

Arsenal in full: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, Ramsey, Van Persie.

Subs: Djourou, Fabianski, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Benayoun, Gervinho, Chamakh.



Wenger don come again o. So is Rosicky going to be on the flank or what ?

Na by force to play Rambo ? He should better score to justify his selection.

3-1 Arsenal RVP brace, Theo

Arsenal will lose this game

get well fabrice

am expecting the boos for arteta

GAME ON!!!!!

bring the ball back jor mumuni

aww sagna . .sorry

first arsenal corner

goood lol loose ball

ramsey ghTFESSWdjejffd

Ramseyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ooooo

see perfectly laid ball for scoring

next time RVP shooooot for goal

Kay-Dee:
Ramseyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ooooo

see perfectly laid ball for scoring

its a good thing he didnt score sha . .you know him and celeb goals . .

goooaaaal

tv5555

GOAL TV5 AGAIN

GUNNERS ALL THE WAY! Get well soon Fabrice Muamba.

Koscienly wants to be a striker.

chei!!! another miss

Geeeeee, RvPeeeeeee, nice goal-keeping by Timbolo boy.

Ramsey must score today o