Arsenal vs Everton: 5 key players to ensure victory

4. Sokratis

The big Greek defender is making his first appearance on the key players list because he has been so good lately that even I have to admit that he has become our best defender (barring Stephan Lichtsteiner, but that’s an argument for a different day).

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I used to put Mustafi on this list with the logic that he would have to be good and mistake free in order for this defense not to give up stupid goals. But as we saw against Newcastle, Sokratis actually kept the keys to the solid defense, cleaning up after Mustafi and proving himself a stoic, unflappable presence at the back of this formation.

The same was true against Vorskla. With a new partner in Rob Holding, he was still able keep order and control and, again, barring some goals that are primarily attribute to bad luck, this defense looked much better and Sokratis was the key ingredient.

More of the same against Everton may finally give the Gunners their first clean sheet. That is, unless Theo Walcott can torch Hector Bellerin and slot a curler in from the top of the box. But let’s not think like that.

On to No. 3.