Source: SKY_Sports
Everton v Arsenal preview
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Expectations will be high among the sell-out crowd as Everton entertain Arsenal in the season opener at Goodison Park.[LNB] The Toffees finished fifth in the Premier League last term, as well as reaching the FA Cup final.[LNB]If the club are now going to push on and upset the 'Big Four', manager David Moyes will be looking for a win here against the Gunners, who finished fourth last time.[LNB]But there have been off-field distractions at the club with Manchester City's continued pursuit of Joleon Lescott.[LNB]The Toffees have so far held firm in the face of two bids from City for the defender, who has put in a transfer request, which was rejected by the club.[LNB]City's transfer dealings have also loomed large over Arsenal this summer, landing Gunners striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure for a combined fee in excess of £40million.[LNB]Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is yet to splash this cash on big-name replacements - Thomas Vermaelen being his only summer signing so far - as he attempts to win the title for the first time since 2004. [LNB]Team newsEverton striker Jo, who returned on loan from Manchester City this summer, is progressing well following an ankle injury and could feature.[LNB]The Brazilian is now back in training after suffering the injury in a friendly against Blackpool earlier this month.[LNB]Moyes told the club's official website: "When Jo went over on his ankle, we didn't really think it was that bad and we hope that he is going to be okay for the weekend.[LNB]"He is back running now but is only doing straight line work. He's not twisting and turning yet but we hope to do that kind of work with him in the next couple of days."[LNB]Meanwhile, new signing Vermaelen is set to make his full debut for Arsenal at Everton after recovering from a groin problem.[LNB]With Toure having been sold to City and Johan Djourou (knee) set for a spell out, the 23-year-old is expected to partner veteran William Gallas in a defence which was all too often exposed last season.[LNB]"Thomas Vermaelen played 45 minutes for Belgium on Wednesday night and came through okay so he will be available," Wenger told the club's official website.[LNB]But Wenger will have five players missing - Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Samir Nasri (broken leg), Theo Walcott (back), Lukasz Fabianski (knee) and Djourou, while Abou Diaby is a doubtful with a groin injury.[LNB]Possible starting XIsEverton: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Pienaar, Fellaini, Neville, Osman, Cahill, Jo.[LNB]Arsenal:Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Gibbs, Fabregas, Denilson, Abou Diaby, Arshavin, Bendtner, Van Persie.[LNB]
