Arsenal make an uncustomary start to the new campaign with a tough away trip to Goodison Park after starting the last four seasons with a home fixture. As first games go this is not one Arsene Wenger would relish. Everton are a strong physical side and very hard to break down so this will be an interesting clash.

Neither side has made many new acquisitions with David Moyes frustrated by the club’s failure to bring in a number of targets including Kyle Naughton who went to Tottenham. Brazilian striker Jo has returned on loan to boost the team’s firepower after scoring 5 goals in 12 league games last season. Moyes has managed to keep his team together despite Man City’s strong pursuit of Joleon Lescott. A record of one home defeat in 2009 should mean that the Toffees will be confident they can start the season with what would be an excellent victory.

The Gunners have endured a turbulent summer after selling two of their first team regulars Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City. Their only big new recruit is Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen who faces a baptism of fire against the physical, aerial prowess of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini. Arsene Wenger’s team have been written off but they still possess plenty of quality and have an incredible opening day record.

The Gunners have won more opening day Premier League matches than any other team (11) and have not conceded more than a single goal in any of their opening matches since 1993 when they suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat to Coventry. Despite a reputation for struggling against physical sides on their travels, Arsenal boast an unbeaten record of 12 away league games so shouldn’t be underestimated. They also have Andrei Arshavin in their ranks who was sensational at times last season with 7 goals in just 12 league appearances. He has picked up where he left off in pre-season so will be one to keep an eye on for this campaign. Whether he can repeat his 4-goal heroics from his last trip to Merseyside is doubtful but he will definitely be a threat.

This is one of the toughest matches to call this weekend but a draw looks the most likely Premier 10 result for me. Neither side will want to kick-off the new campaign with a loss so a tight encounter with few goals should be expected just like the last meeting between these two teams at Goodison.

Alan Hansen’s Premier 10 pick: DRAW

Read the rest of Alan’s previews here:

Tags: Alan Hansen, Arsenal, Everton, Premier 10

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