Full-Time: EVERTON 1-1 ARSENAL. Everton thought they had closed to within two points of the Gunners but that late van Persie strike has kept the Gunners, just about, on the coat-tails of Aston Villa.
90
Goal
EVERTON 1-1 ARSENAL. Unbelievable! VAN PERSIE rifles a left-footed half-volley into the bottom corner of the net to surely steal a point for Arsenal. A big goal!
89
The home fans are beginning to celebrate a massive victory for their side as they firmly believe the Gunners have run out of ideas.
87
Substitution
Everton are having to make a change and it might be a worrying one for them as Tim Cahill limps off to be replaced by Anichebe.
85
All of a sudden Everton look more dangerous again. Arteta has come into his own at last and he again finds Cahill in the box, but this time it was a fraction too high and he can't keep the header down.
83
Should be game over! Arteta has been quiet but he produces a piece of artistry to find Cahill in behind Gallas but the Australian fires straight at Almunia.
80
Everton are launching occasional counter-attacks now with Pienaar getting through a lot of work but they are very much trying to sit back on their lead.
78
Yellow Card
Tony Hibbert is the latest into the ref's notebook for a foul on Nasri.
76
Arsenal are trying to force an equaliser but everything they throw at Everton is being repelled by a stout backline.
73
Substitution
and Emmanuel Eboue comes on for Bacary Sagna.
73
Substitution
The Gunners are making a double substitution as Nicklas Bendtner replaces Alex Song
71
Yellow Card
Mikel Arteta hasn't been his usual self today, perhaps he is not at full fitness, but he has managed to pick up a booking.
70
Arsene Wenger must be contemplating making changes now just to try and ignite a spark in his team because, with the exception of Van Persie, they are becoming passengers in this clash.
68
This is more like it! Now we have a game on our hands as Leon Osman plays a delightful one-two with Fellaini before flashing a right-footed drive just past the far post.
66
Great save! Robin Van Persie swivels on the edge of the area and fires in a rasping drive that Howard somehow fingertips wide of the post.
64
That has sparked Arsenal into life as they up the tempo once more to try and force an opening but Everton look as comfortable as they have all night at the back.
61
Goal
EVERTON 1-0 ARSENAL. He is at it again! Baines finds acres on the left to bend in a wonderful cross and that man Tim CAHILL rises to power a header past Almunia. Who needs a striker?
58
As obvious as it sounds, this game could go either way still! Although neither keeper has been overworked, there are players on the pitch from both sides capable of finding a bit of magic.
55
Tim Cahill probably had the best chance of the first half and he has now had the Toffees best of the second period as Arteta helps a corner back into the box and the Australian flashes a bicycle kick inches wide.
52
Great chance wasted! Van Persie tucks a clever cross to the edge of the box for Denilson to take aim, but his body shape is all over the place and it goes a mile over the bar.
50
On a lighter note, Phil Jagielka ends up in the front row as he takes no care for his own well-being in order to prevent a corner. Much to the defender's own amusement.
47
If the first few minutes of the second half are anything to go by then we are sadly in for more of the same in the next 45 minutes or so.
Second half
The second period is underway at Goodison Park - hopefully it will be better than the first.
Half time
Half Time: EVERTON 0-0 ARSENAL. After a bright start at both ends the game developed into a midfield battle with neither side able to create any notable openings.
43
Both defences have looked very comfortable in the first half as the differing attacking formations of each side fail to make any impact on proceedings.
41
Denilson bends a hopeful ball into the box but its all too easy for Howard to come and collect.
39
Still no work for the goalkeepers at Goodison Park as the respective midfields enjoy the most of the action but without doing an awful lot with the ball.
36
Yellow Card
Samir Nasri collects a yellow card for a frustrated kick at the legs of Tony Hibbert.
35
Adebayor has been inactice and disinterested for the most part so far but he bursts into life at last with a quick turn and shot on the edge of the box but Howard is comfortably behind it.
32
Both sides are playing some nice stuff in the midfield at times tonight but there has been a real shortage of invention and action in the respective final thirds of the pitch.
28
Yellow Card
Abou Diaby collects the first booking of the game for a foul on Steven Pienaar.
27
Despite being on the front foot the Toffees have rarely threatened to create a decent chance and only have Cahill's header to show for all their endeavour.
24
Everton have the measure of Wenger's men at the moment and they are really beginning to believe this game is for the taking.
21
Baines is really bombing on down the Everton left, forcing Sagna back in the process, and he gets to the byline again to flash a superb ball across the box but it evades everyone.
18
Arsenal are now the team struggling to get their passing game going as the Everton midfield bite quickly into the tackles to prevent the Gunners finding their rhythm.
15
The hosts are coming back into this as they look for diagonals towards big Fellaini and he is starting to provide some decent knockdowns for Cahill and Pienaar.
12
End to end now! Everton have their second chance in as many minutes as Arteta's corner finds Cahill in the box but his glancing header slides wide.
10
Half a chance! Everton break smartly down the left with Baines who cuts the ball back in the direction of Fellaini but Gallas is well placed to put it behind.
9
The Gunners are now dominating the ball and Everton have barely had a kick since the very opening exchanges - has the emotion of the Merseyside Derby double-header taken it out of them?
6
Arsenal are starting to take control of things as they up the tempo and pick their passes in the foggy, misty atmosphere of Goodison Park.
3
Everton have made a typically spirited and determined start as they attempt to prove - yet again - that you do not need a striker to win a football match.
1
Kickoff
Andre Marriner is in charge of this one and he gets us underway on Merseyside.
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song Billong, Diaby, Adebayor, Van Persie
Arsenal still have a pocket of major players missing but Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie are paired in attack after the Togo striker was rested for the FA Cup tie at Cardiff.
Awaiting Kickoff
Everton's big pre-match doubt surrounded Mikel Arteta who does make the starting lineup and that will be a huge boost for David Moyes' men.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Goodison Park where Everton face another massive game on the back of two Merseyside derbies as they meet Arsenal.
Everton
Arsenal
Full time
Full-Time: EVERTON 1-1 ARSENAL. Everton thought they had closed to within two points of the Gunners but that late van Persie strike has kept the Gunners, just about, on the coat-tails of Aston Villa.
Goal
EVERTON 1-1 ARSENAL. Unbelievable! VAN PERSIE rifles a left-footed half-volley into the bottom corner of the net to surely steal a point for Arsenal. A big goal!
The home fans are beginning to celebrate a massive victory for their side as they firmly believe the Gunners have run out of ideas.
Substitution
Everton are having to make a change and it might be a worrying one for them as Tim Cahill limps off to be replaced by Anichebe.
All of a sudden Everton look more dangerous again. Arteta has come into his own at last and he again finds Cahill in the box, but this time it was a fraction too high and he can't keep the header down.
Should be game over! Arteta has been quiet but he produces a piece of artistry to find Cahill in behind Gallas but the Australian fires straight at Almunia.
Everton are launching occasional counter-attacks now with Pienaar getting through a lot of work but they are very much trying to sit back on their lead.
Yellow Card
Tony Hibbert is the latest into the ref's notebook for a foul on Nasri.
Arsenal are trying to force an equaliser but everything they throw at Everton is being repelled by a stout backline.
Substitution
and Emmanuel Eboue comes on for Bacary Sagna.
Substitution
The Gunners are making a double substitution as Nicklas Bendtner replaces Alex Song
Yellow Card
Mikel Arteta hasn't been his usual self today, perhaps he is not at full fitness, but he has managed to pick up a booking.
Arsene Wenger must be contemplating making changes now just to try and ignite a spark in his team because, with the exception of Van Persie, they are becoming passengers in this clash.
This is more like it! Now we have a game on our hands as Leon Osman plays a delightful one-two with Fellaini before flashing a right-footed drive just past the far post.
Great save! Robin Van Persie swivels on the edge of the area and fires in a rasping drive that Howard somehow fingertips wide of the post.
That has sparked Arsenal into life as they up the tempo once more to try and force an opening but Everton look as comfortable as they have all night at the back.
Goal
EVERTON 1-0 ARSENAL. He is at it again! Baines finds acres on the left to bend in a wonderful cross and that man Tim CAHILL rises to power a header past Almunia. Who needs a striker?
As obvious as it sounds, this game could go either way still! Although neither keeper has been overworked, there are players on the pitch from both sides capable of finding a bit of magic.
Tim Cahill probably had the best chance of the first half and he has now had the Toffees best of the second period as Arteta helps a corner back into the box and the Australian flashes a bicycle kick inches wide.
Great chance wasted! Van Persie tucks a clever cross to the edge of the box for Denilson to take aim, but his body shape is all over the place and it goes a mile over the bar.
On a lighter note, Phil Jagielka ends up in the front row as he takes no care for his own well-being in order to prevent a corner. Much to the defender's own amusement.
If the first few minutes of the second half are anything to go by then we are sadly in for more of the same in the next 45 minutes or so.
Second half
The second period is underway at Goodison Park - hopefully it will be better than the first.
Half time
Half Time: EVERTON 0-0 ARSENAL. After a bright start at both ends the game developed into a midfield battle with neither side able to create any notable openings.
Both defences have looked very comfortable in the first half as the differing attacking formations of each side fail to make any impact on proceedings.
Denilson bends a hopeful ball into the box but its all too easy for Howard to come and collect.
Still no work for the goalkeepers at Goodison Park as the respective midfields enjoy the most of the action but without doing an awful lot with the ball.
Yellow Card
Samir Nasri collects a yellow card for a frustrated kick at the legs of Tony Hibbert.
Adebayor has been inactice and disinterested for the most part so far but he bursts into life at last with a quick turn and shot on the edge of the box but Howard is comfortably behind it.
Both sides are playing some nice stuff in the midfield at times tonight but there has been a real shortage of invention and action in the respective final thirds of the pitch.
Yellow Card
Abou Diaby collects the first booking of the game for a foul on Steven Pienaar.
Despite being on the front foot the Toffees have rarely threatened to create a decent chance and only have Cahill's header to show for all their endeavour.
Everton have the measure of Wenger's men at the moment and they are really beginning to believe this game is for the taking.
Baines is really bombing on down the Everton left, forcing Sagna back in the process, and he gets to the byline again to flash a superb ball across the box but it evades everyone.
Arsenal are now the team struggling to get their passing game going as the Everton midfield bite quickly into the tackles to prevent the Gunners finding their rhythm.
The hosts are coming back into this as they look for diagonals towards big Fellaini and he is starting to provide some decent knockdowns for Cahill and Pienaar.
End to end now! Everton have their second chance in as many minutes as Arteta's corner finds Cahill in the box but his glancing header slides wide.
Half a chance! Everton break smartly down the left with Baines who cuts the ball back in the direction of Fellaini but Gallas is well placed to put it behind.
The Gunners are now dominating the ball and Everton have barely had a kick since the very opening exchanges - has the emotion of the Merseyside Derby double-header taken it out of them?
Arsenal are starting to take control of things as they up the tempo and pick their passes in the foggy, misty atmosphere of Goodison Park.
Everton have made a typically spirited and determined start as they attempt to prove - yet again - that you do not need a striker to win a football match.
Kickoff
Andre Marriner is in charge of this one and he gets us underway on Merseyside.
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song Billong, Diaby, Adebayor, Van Persie
Awaiting Kickoff
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Arteta, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini, Cahill
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsenal still have a pocket of major players missing but Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie are paired in attack after the Togo striker was rested for the FA Cup tie at Cardiff.
Awaiting Kickoff
Everton's big pre-match doubt surrounded Mikel Arteta who does make the starting lineup and that will be a huge boost for David Moyes' men.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Goodison Park where Everton face another massive game on the back of two Merseyside derbies as they meet Arsenal.