Preview Everton - Arsenal

By Richard Clarke

Andrew Johnson has been a big noise in Premiership football ever since his Crystal Palace days and Arsène Wenger believes the key to victory at Goodison Park on Sunday will be keeping him quiet.

The Arsenal manager is a fan of the diminutive striker. Wenger had Johnson closely monitored while he was plying his trade in South London and, although he decided against a move, the Frenchman does believe Johnson can make a mark for his country in the years to come.

“I think Andy is a player who can help England,” said Wenger. “He is a good striker because of the timing and quality of his runs, his fantastic team ethic and the fact he never gives up.

"He can be one of the players who can compliment Wayne Rooney because Rooney is more of a second striker who can make the runs and you need another striker who can stretch the defence. Andy Johnson is one of those along with Michael Owen.

"I did consider [taking] him at one stage when he was at Crystal Palace but the price stopped it happening. There was a big fight for Johnson and you know if that happens then the price is never below £12 million or £13 million.

"But he has done very well in the Premier League as well and has given us problems.

Wenger added: “Johnson is a handful for any defence and the result on Sunday will be decided by the way we keep him quiet.”

Ironically enough, the Arsenal manager is in need of strikers at the moment. Thierry Henry’s season is over because of groin/stomach injuries while Robin van Persie (foot) will not be seen before late April if at all.

Emmanuel Adebayor sees out the last game of his suspension on Sunday and Theo Walcott is unlikely to be risked as he will have a shoulder operation on Tuesday.

It leaves Julio Baptista and Jeremie Aliadiere as the only options. Wenger admits that both players are fighting for their Arsenal future. Baptista’s loan spell is up in the summer and Aliadiere would have been sold in January, albeit reluctantly, had Van Persie not picked up his injury.

“It is an important time for both of them because they know they will get a chance to play in these games,” said the manager.

Elsewhere Emmanuel Eboue is still suspended but his countryman Kolo Toure is back from a ban. Alex Hleb returns from a knee problem and Tomas Rosicky is pushing for a start.

After a nightmare fortnight, the game at Villa Park was just the fillip Arsenal needed. Three points helped move them up to third for the first time in 2007 but the manner of victory — a backs-to-the-wall, sleeves-rolled-up 1-0 — was just as gratifying given Wenger’s side had seen their character come under scrutiny in recent weeks.

The Arsenal manager believes Chelsea are catchable in second place but, at the same time is still not secure in the fourth and final Champions League spot. Everton will present a stern examination given that they have European hopes themselves.

“They have 43 points with 10 games to go,” said Wenger. “That normally gives you a Uefa Cup ambition. They will be a good test for us.

“We need to secure a position in the top four because it is not completely done but we still hope to get in the top two as well.

Arsenal.com