Afternoon all. With the League Cup final later and Liverpool's ongoing clash against champions Manchester City, this game has been somewhat forgotten. It's extremely important to both sides, though, which will hopefully be reflected on the pitch. Arsenal and Everton both need the points, albeit for very different reasons.

Incidentally, that match up at Anfield does have some significance for Arsenal. It's currently 1-1, but were Liverpool to win, they would go level on points with the Gunners in the race for a top four spot. And, of course, Everton will be hoping that the Reds lose for obvious reasons! You can follow the second half on Merseyside with Sports Mole's text updates here.

Right, back in North London, let's get to the team news, starting with the home side...

ARSENAL XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs; Coquelin, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud

ARSENAL SUBS: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Chambers, Rosicky, Walcott, Welbeck

Having had what was quite frankly a nightmare against Monaco in the Champions League, centre-back Per Mertesacker has been dropped to the bench by Arsene Wenger. It means that January signing Gabriel will start at the back, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been recalled. He has come into the side at the expense of Danny Welbeck, who joins Mertesacker among the substitutes.

And now for visiting Everton's starting lineup...

EVERTON XI: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Garbutt; McCarthy, Besic, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Joel, Gibson, Kone, Naismith, Osman, Lennon, Alcaraz

The big news for the Toffees is that Leighton Baines is not in the squad, so youngster Luke Garbutt gets a start at left-back. Kevin Mirallas and Gareth Barry have also been given recalls, having missed out last time in the Premier League against Leicester City. At the back, John Stones will partner Phil Jagielka, while Tim Howard has kept his place between the posts.

Right, sorry Arsenal fans, but I'm going to have to mention Wednesday evening. For once, Arsenal were dealt a favourable Champions League last-16 draw and it appears that they have blown their chance of reaching the quarter-finals. There was very little intensity about Arsenal, either with or without the ball. Then, further back, Monaco looked as though they would score with every attack. It was night to forget, but if things do not go well again today, I don't expect many Arsenal supporters to be in a forgiving mood!

Speaking to reporters on Friday about the impact of that European loss and looking ahead to this clash, Gunners boss Wenger said: "We have massive games in front of us and we have played two times away from home more than at home, so we the way we play at home is vital.

"The reactions today are always very emotional but life is not always on a high. You have to go through lows and highs, and at the end of the day it is about how consistent you have been in response to disappointments that makes your life."

So, what chance of a backlash? Everton manager Roberto Martinez certainly expects Arsenal to be firing on all cylinders:

"I don't think Arsenal will suffer from a psychological setback after what happened in their last game. They have incredible experience in these sorts of games," the Spaniard said at his press conference.

"We need to make sure we are fully fit and refreshed. We expect an Arsenal fully focused on trying to carry on the outstanding form they have in the league. Arsenal have only had one home league defeat and we know we have a real difficult task in front of us."

As Martinez mentions below, Arsenal have been in fantastic form at home so far this season. They've lost just once at the Emirates in the Premier League, winning eight times and drawing on three occasions. During that time they've scored a 28 goals - only Manchester United have fired in more goals at home - and shipped just 11.

Everton, meanwhile, have struggled away from home. They've won just three times on the road, but only once since October. In 13 outings, they've scored only 14 goals, while letting in 19 in the process.

GOAL! Big goal up at Anfield and it's gone to the home side. What a strike as well from Philippe Coutinho, who has fired Liverpool 2-1 in front from distance. As it stands, Brendan Rodgers's men are going level on points with Arsenal. Remember, you can follow Sports Mole's live text coverage of the closing stages here.

VIDEO PREVIEW: Back to this game, which will get underway and just over 20 minutes. While you wait, here's how the Sports Mole Sofa sees the clash going.

And here are the Arsenal players heading out to warm-up:

PREDICTION: Right, the chaps had their say in the video below, but I'm now going to throw my opinion out there as well. Arsenal were very poor on Wednesday night and you'd expect there to be a reaction. They surely can't be that bad two games on the trot! You might have fancied Everton of years gone by to cause some problems, but the Toffees have been poor this season. Let's go for a nervy 2-1 home win, with Giroud finding the net.

FULL TIME: The final whistle has been blown at Anfield and Liverpool have held on to win 2-1. To see how that has altered the table, click here.

That result really has put added significance on this clash for Arsenal. While they are 10 goals better off than Liverpool, the two teams are locked on 48 points. With Liverpool the form team, the Gunners certainly won't want to be giving them any encouragement.

Lee Carsley is still fond of Everton it would seem:

Right, the players are now preparing to make their way out on to the pitch, where the handshakes will take place. After that, we'll be off and running.

KICKOFF! Hosting Arsenal, who will attack from left to right in the first half, get us underway in North London.

Very little happening here at the Emirates. Everton have had the better of the possession, but they are yet to work Ospina in the Arsenal goal. It's a very quiet home crowd right now.

Now there is some potentially bad news for Everton because is down and receiving treatment on an ankle injury. We'll keep an eye out to see how the young centre-back fares.

It seems that Stones has made a recovery from that knock. He's not limping and looks happy to inherit the ball and then pass it on to a teammate. His side are still in control as far as the possession is concerned.

STAT! And here is the scale of Everton's early domination:

The first shot of this encounter is one to forget! Lukaku does well initially to cut in from the right flank, only for his effort to be blocked. The ball breaks kindly for Besic 25 yards from goal, but his strike flies well over the crossbar, much to amusement of the home fans.

Fantastic goalkeeping from Ospina stops Everton from surely taking the lead. Lukaku pounces on a mistake from Gabriel, but as he looks to round the Arsenal goalkeeper, the Colombian sticks out an arm and is then able to force the ball out for a throw. The visitors remain in control.

Another nervy moment for Arsenal defender Gabriel as he sends a header from the edge of the box back towards his own goal. Barkley looks to capitalise, but Ospina is alert and he is able to hold the ball.

CHANCE! Giroud missed a lorry-load of chances against Monaco and he's spurned another one today. It's the first signs of life from Arsenal as Sanchez sends over a cross from the left. Giroud stoops bravely to head, but his effort creeps wide of Howard's far post.

The opening seems to have done wonders for Arsenal. All of a sudden there is more pace and purpose about their play. It's they that are now dictating the play, with Everton forced to defend.

Fantastic defending from Jagielka, who throws himself in the way of a Bellerin shot. It was a good passing move by the home side, but Jagielka prevented it from ending in a goal.

Anything Jagielka can do, Gabriel can do better! Lukaku bursts from out wide and all a sudden finds himself inside the Arsenal area. The Everton frontman is about to shoot from six yards out, only for Arsenal's Brazilian defender to produce a perfectly timed sliding challenge. He had to get that right!

Didn't Giroud need that! He's missed a few chances recently, but the Frenchman made no mistake on this occasion. Ozil sends over an inswinging corner, which an unmarked Giroud meets on the run. His volley isn't the cleanest, but it leaves Howard little chance. The relief on his face is there for all to see as runs off to celebrate. In contrast, Martinez is bound to be fuming with the way that his side defended there.

SAVE! Cazorla has been quiet so far, but he almost announced himself on proceedings with a bang. He fakes to shoot with his right foot, before switching to his left and powering an effort goalwards from 25 yards out. It worries Howard enough to tip the ball over for a corner.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

Well, it was not exactly the most enthralling first half of Premier League football that you're ever going to see, but it's Arsenal that take a 1-0 lead into the break.

It's not been a great response to the Monaco defeat from Arsenal, despite their lead. For much of that half it was far too pedestrian and easy to defend against. In fact, had Everton not fallen asleep at the corner, the Gunners wouldn't have scored. With Sanchez seemingly out of form, they need more pace in the final third. Both Walcott and Welbeck are sat on the bench, so it may not be too long until we see one of those ready for action.

As for Everton, while they have had good spells in possession, they haven't really worked Ospina too much. Lukaku has threatened to do so on a couple of occasions, but he's ended up being thwarted. They need to commit a man or two more forward when they are attacking, which could see the introduction of Naismith from the bench, with one of McCarthy, Besic or Barry being sacrificed.

MATCH ACTION! Here's a shot of Mirallas and Coquelin battling for possession during that first half.

RESTART! Everton, who trail 1-0, get us back underway in North London. Let's hope for a better 45 minutes.

Well, I never knew Barry was so acrobatic! He's just tried a scissor-kick volley from inside the Arsenal area, but it flies a yard over. That would have been some goal had it crept in.

It's been a very good start to this second half by Everton. Left-back Garbutt has sent three very good deliveries into the Arsenal box, with neither Ospina, nor his defenders looking particularly comfortable.

There's no appeal from Giroud or any other home player as his strike hits Jagielka, but replays show that the Arsenal frontman's effort caught the Everton defender on the arm. There was no intent there, but it certainly stopped the ball from calling Howard into action.

Aaron Lennon, on loan at Everton from Spurs, is about to come on. I expect the reception he receives from the home fans won't be positive!

EVERTON SUB: And the jeers go up as the lively winger comes on to replace Mirallas. No doubt he'd love to get his name on the scoresheet here.

It's all gone rather flat at the Emirates. Arsenal lead, but are showing very little signs of being able to extend that advantage further. As for Everton, they are seeing plenty of the ball without really posing too much of a threat. It's stalemate.

SAVE! There's some much needed threat from Everton and only a wonderful stop from Ospina keeps Arsenal in front. Lukaku sprints to the near post to meet Barkley's chipped pass. His half-volley on the turn has plenty of power, which perhaps helps the Arsenal keeper to tip it over the bar.

Ouch! Teammates Giroud and Coquelin contest the same ball, with the latter coming off badly from their clash of heads. He looks to be bleeding from the mouth and is receiving treatment.

The Arsenal midfielder is up and it was in fact his nose that took the force of the impact. He's now returned to the action, which is good to see.

CHANCE! Big opening for Lennon to make himself and Everton hero as Coleman picks him out unmarked inside the Arsenal box. The winger's low effort is goalbound, but Ospina is able to hold at the second attempt.

EVERTON SUB: It's an attacking change from Martinez as he takes off holding midfielder Besic and throws on the attack-minded Naismith, who is making his 100th appearance in Everton colours.

BOOKING! Lennon is starting to cause some problems. Just now he skipped away from Koscielny, who cynically brings him down with a sliding challenge.

CHANCE! Ozil really should have wrapped up the points for Arsenal as he's put through on goal by Oxlade-Chamberlain. However, he takes too long over his shot, leaving Jagielka enough time to retreat and send the German's shot over the bar.

ARSENAL SUB: A change for Arsenal as Oxlade-Chamberlain comes off and is replaced by Rosicky.

EVERTON SUB: Final alteration of the contest for the away side as former United midfielder Gibson takes the place of Barry in midfield.

Great goalkeeping from Ospina, who shows bravery to punch clear Garbutt's dangerous cross. He took a clattering from Lukaku for his troubles, but it was worth it.

ARSENAL SUB: It was a rather quiet outing from Sanchez, who has now been replaced by Danny Welbeck for the closing stages.

ARSENAL SUB: You've got to feel for Coquelin. The ball has just struck him flush on the nose, which has produced more blood! That's his game over, with Calum Chambers taking his place.

Game over as Arsenal return to winning ways at the Emirates. It's a decent enough hit from Rosicky, but one that Howard was going to easily save. However, Jagielka, who had dropped far too deep, inadvertently stuck out a foot and only succeeded in turning the ball beyond the reach of his goalkeeper. It's 2-0 to Arsenal, who are heading up to third.

Those two stoppages in play to treat Coquelin have resulted in there being seven minutes of injury time.

SAVE! Rosicky is after a second goal as he robs Barkley of possession and then goes for goal himself. There's too much power in the shot for Howard to hold it, but the Everton custodian is able to parry it to safety.

There goes the whistle and it's Arsenal that claim all three points. It was by no means a great game to watch, but the three points is all that matters to the home side. As for Everton, it's another disappointing away day as they remain in relegation trouble.

That's all we have time for from the Emirates Stadium, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the next couple of hours for match reaction, analysis and player ratings. Thanks for joining us and until next time, goodbye.