Arsenal Handed Massive Injury Boost Ahead of Everton Showdown

James Rodriguez’s Offensive Elegance

It’s credit to a player’s talent when their manager gives them license to play near enough wherever they want on a football pitch.

Arsene Wenger granted Mesut Ozil similar freedoms in his prime, allowing the German to roam into the areas his astute footballing brain felt where the most likely to provide a threat.

Similarly, Ancelotti allows Rodriguez to drop way off the front line and pick up positions out wide, all the while building a team structure that covers areas of transition to accommodate the Colombian’s constant roaming.

Nobody in the Everton side can receive the ball in tight areas and still find room to maneuver quite like Rodriguez. Technically by far the most gifted in the squad, it’s this composure in between the lines, or indeed anywhere, that has been key to the Toffees’ resurgence.

Certain players pick the ball up and look forward in one motion, foreseeing the next phase of play prior to even assuming possession. Rodriguez does so but boasts the capability of delivering the next pass with absolute precision. Drifting to the right and bending in-swinging left-footed switches of play have become something of a trademark.

Everton have beaten Leicester and Chelsea in their last two fixtures, both without Rodriguez, but not without Allan. The Brazilian missed the second half of their King Power Stadium win through injury, but it’s his omission on Saturday which could be the most telling. That central stability is utterly vital.

Is this enough to help Arsenal win on Saturday? Whether they win or not is reliant on their own performance. However, you can’t discount the helping hand they’ve been granted.