1. Give us your assessment of Arsenal’s season so far.
I think it has been a very inconsistent season for Arsenal so far, I felt Arsène Wenger signed too many players at once and tried to mould them in immediately to our system and it took a while before we saw results, but I think since that 2-0 defeat at Southampton we have lost just once in nine games, including a win at Manchester City and that was fantastic, our best away performance in a very long time. But, recently we’ve started working well as a team, Sanchez, Özil, Cazorla, Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck are all playing very well when they feature which is great because it shows our depth. We have some very winnable fixtures on the horizon and I strongly believe that with momentum we can still finish second if we push and avoid injuries.
2. What’s the general consensus about Wenger. Is it time for a change of direction at the club?
It’s a strange one. Arsène Wenger is such a fantastic manager and is adored by players and managers alike, do you really think Özil talks about Wenger as a role model because he wants to lose? Those comments from him just epitomise how great he is, he can still bring the best players to this club even after 18 years. People like Jose Mourinho are just jealous. Although Wenger has never beaten Mourinho he is definitely a better manager. Arsène Wenger is the reason behind Arsenal’s success in the last 15 years. Three Premier League titles, the Invincibles, Five FA Cups, and Five Community Shields, he has built Arsenal football club to the highest level, he deserves so much credit, one of the best managers in the world, and he will be remembered for creating Arsenal into one of the biggest clubs in the world, he will probably get a statue as well, which is brilliant. The 3-3 draw at home to Anderlecht, defeats to Swansea and Manchester United prompted fans to boo and show banners but he has turned it around again, like we always say, #WengerKnowsBest.
3. How do you view Everton?
Everton have suffered dramatically from Europa League Thursday, Premier League Sunday, and this why I think Tottenham are underrated because they have stayed in and around the top four area despite having Europa League Thursday and Premier League Sunday. But I like Everton under Roberto Martinez, I watched their fantastic 4-1 win over Young Boys Bern in a bar in the French Alps and it was fantastic result for them. Last season they were sensational and one of the most attractive teams to watch. I was at the Emirates last season for the 1-1 draw in the league encounter and I thought Everton were fantastic that day and really restricted Arsenal, obviously I was gutted because Gerard Deulofeu scored stunning equaliser but the Toffees deserved it. Defensively I think Martinez is very poor, Jagielka hasn’t been the same player and is ageing, Distin is past his best, Coleman is very attack-minded, as is Baines and that leaves space in behind where they get hurt, if they can get Lukaku firing again, a solid defensive organisation this season and sign three or four players of good quality in the summer, I’m sure they can provide a challenge for the Champions League again.
4. And our start to the season?
Their start to the season was strange, good in the Europa League, poor in the league. Losing at home to Crystal Palace summed it up really. But beating Wolfsburg, who are flying in the Bundesliga, twice was sensational really. I think Everton need to start scoring more and conceding less because they are only six points above the relegation zone, I think Martinez needs to settle on a system, preferably 4-2-3-1 like last season. With Barry and McCarthy protecting the back four, Mirallas, Naismith, Lukaku and Deulofeu were great together and if they could get a couple of more mobile defenders, possibly loan or buy Deulofeu from Barcelona next season they could be a real force again, but the fans are fantastic people, the go up and down the country, all over Europe and they simply out-sing most crowds, a great thing Everton can be proud of.
5. How highly do you rate Roberto Martinez?
Roberto Martinez did a great job at Wigan and was unfortunate to go down after a defeat at the Emirates. He did a great job at Everton last year and should really have pipped us to fourth place. He is a great manager with great ideas and a good philosophy and I like his style of play because he has made Everton a very attractive team. I do think that with a better squad he could go right to the very top of management.
6. Mikel Arteta is a former fan favourite here. How is he getting on?
Mikel Arteta used to be an attacking midfielder but Arsène Wenger has moulded him into a defensive midfield player. He has been a great player for us but because of his age he just simply hasn’t got the legs to run around for 90 minutes anymore, also the form of Francis Coquelin has warranted himself a start despite Mikel being injured, and I expect Francis will make that midfield spot his own.
7. Which 3 Everton players would you take to Arsenal given the chance?
Everton players I would take would be Kevin Mirallas because he is such a great worker, he’s positive when with the ball, makes runs which cause defenders panic and he’s so technically gifted. I would have to take Romelu Lukaku because of his presence, he has a fantastic work rate and works well in that formation, I’m sure in a top world-class team he would strive. Finally, I would take Seamus Coleman because he is the perfect right-back, he is like a right winger and right-back in the same mould, he can join attacks providing extra options in attack, has a great shot and also defensively sound.
8. Likely Arsenal team and score prediction?
Arsenal are at home and have lost just twice their since the summer of 2013 so I’d expect an attacking line-up with something like this: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Özil, Sànchez, Welbeck, Giroud. I think we are in good form but Everton always play well against big teams, Arsenal 2-1 Everton.
