Arsenal v Everton: Go Gunners in battle of the European hangovers
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After a busy week of work and the various social excursions that accompany Friday and Saturday nights, most people tend to use Sundays to recuperate – but that’s not an option for Arsenal or Everton.
The two teams are due to face each other at the Emirates this weekend and despite enduring contrasting fortunes in Europe this week either side could end up suffering something of a hangover following their efforts in continental competition.
Going into the game it’s the Toffees who have struggled most with balancing their Europa League endeavours with Premier League success.
Everton have woken up feeling worse for wear on more than one occasion this term, having taken a total of eight points from a possible 21 in games played directly after a European fixture.
If anything, the poor results have come after games in which Everton may have overdone it a little with wins home and away against Europa League favourites Wolfsburg both followed up two defeats in the league.
Even their creditable draw away at Krasnodar came at a cost with the Toffees losing their very next game in Europe.
Having followed up their home win over Young Boys with a 2-2 draw against bottom of the table Leicester it therefore stands to reason that they could struggle against Arsenal.
But then the Gunners have hardly fared much better with their post-European endeavours taking 14 points from a possible 24 in games played after a midweek continental fixture.
After beating Besiktas to seal their place in the group phase, for instance, Arsenal then went three games without a win while a victory over Galatasaray was followed up by defeat.
Their 3-3 draw with Anderlecht also prompted an epic hangover with the Gunners going down to back-to-back defeats in the top-flight.
Despite this, Arsene Wenger’s side have shown some character to bounce back from defeat in Europe already this season, following up a 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
With the north London club no doubt determined to offer up a response to the criticism metered out following an abject showing against Monaco, it could be wise to back the hosts to down an Alka-Seltzer and get the job done on Sunday.
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