Key Battles: The players to watch on Saturday

A repeat of last season's defeat on the blue side of Mersyside would have repercussions for Arsenal's title challenge but the Gunners travel north with just two points from their last three away fixtures while Everton are a form side with just one defeat in 14 in all competitions. Arsenal have struggled at Goodison Park in the league, winning just once in their last five attempts and failing to score in their last two. This season Arsenal.com will be identifying the key battles for each Premier League game and bringing you all the statistics and information a fan could need. Swot up now and come Saturday you'll be impressing anyone who'll listen with your new-found knowledge.

Leighton Baines v Alex Hleb
Injury to Alex Hleb cut short what was becoming his finest hoard of games for the Club. However since returning to action against Chelsea the Belarussian has failed to assert the influence that earned him his plaudits. In the absence of Robin van Persie, Hleb played as the main source of support for Emmanuel Adebayor, providing two goals and four assists. The 26-year-old dazzling feet and ability to wriggle out of a tight spot is his greatest attribute - 21 dribbles made. Deployed either as a wide man or slightly more central he opts for an incisive pass rather than a cross - 85 passes made and only two successful crosses. Following Leighton Baines' summer move to Everton, the England Under-21 international has been dogged by injury. The former Wigan man is a glittering example of the work done by his previous employers, climbing the ladder to success as quickly as the team itself. His attacking prowess has wavered somewhat with just one shot on target and one assist. He has though burst forward on 15 occasions, delivering a successful cross twice. On the back foot he remains sturdy having lost just one tackle.

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Mikel Arteta v Bacary Sagna
Every great team has a great creative mind in its midst. For David Moyes' high-flying Toffees Mikel Arteta is that mind. Influential across the midfield, the Spaniard, since the emergence of Steven Pinenar in the middle, has featured largely from wide left. From there he has scored once and added five assists. Equally adept at shooting - 22 at goal with half hitting the target - and at passing - 128 made with 60 per cent reaching their target - the 25-year-old will have a major say in the outcome of the fixture. In stark contrast, Bacary Sagna is a rough and rugged defender, whose performance on Saturday will be as telling as that of Arteta. The summer acquisition from Auxerre has been a revelation for the Gunners and has lost just three tackles all season. Seemingly always positioned perfectly he has made several telling interceptions, most notably flicking the ball away from Robbie Keane's expectant head midway through the first-half of last week's North London derby. Pushing forward to great effect, the French international is yet to be stopped when running with the ball and has registered three assists for the Club.

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Ayegbeni Yakubu v Kolo Toure
David Moyes fought tooth and nail to acquire Nigerian striker Yakubu from Middlesbrough. The stocky front-man has repaid the Scot's perseverance with some wonderful displays including a sublime hat-trick a few weeks ago. The ex-Portsmouth player notched on his debut and has an impressive haul of nine for the season. However he is yet to lay on a telling pass for a team-mate. Twenty-two shots on target is testament to his keen eye for goal, while 18 tackles made (please note a mistake on the below table) proves he never shirks a challenge. Arsenal's own African star, Kolo Toure, has had a enjoyed a typically solid campaign. His pace remains a deadly attribute, while his positional and tactical awarness is exceptional - the Ivorian has made 34 clearances and won 13 tackles. True to his calm nature, Toure exhibits a rare ball-playing skill for a defender - he has made a staggering 122 passes and embarked on eight successful dribbles.

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