Moyes wants more goals

Everton manager David Moyes would have no qualms resorting to long-ball tactics to get the goals flowing as his side prepare to host Arsenal on Sunday.

Moyes has bemoaned the Merseysiders' failings in front of goal all season and his frustration continues to grow.

The Scot felt his team passed up a number of opportunities to test Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in midweek and only a last-gasp Jermaine Beckford strike spared them from defeat.

Beckford's dramatic late equaliser was only the second goal from an Everton striker in the Barclays Premier League this season - Ayegbeni Yakubu's winner against Stoke a fortnight ago the other - and Moyes would happily change approach, if he had the players.

"I might go and start crashing the ball into the box, do it that way,'' Moyes said.

"It doesn't really matter what you do between the boxes - it is what happens in the boxes.

"Obviously people want to see a brand of football which they think is the right way to do things, and over the years in England there has been a lot of criticism of the long ball.

"But at the end of the day, if you get the ball in the box and knock it down and score goals, then it wins you games.

"At the moment our football is great up to the box but we can't seem to alternate our play.

"In the past we have had people like Duncan Ferguson who we could maybe have brought on and done something.

"So we are a bit limited in what we have got in that respect.

"We have to keep crafting and passing and finding a way of scoring.''

Moyes does at least expect his side to be able to approach the game in their own way as they face Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Everton are without midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who marred his return after four games out injured by getting sent off late on against Bolton.

Jack Rodwell is getting closer to a return to action after three games as an unused substitute following his ankle injury.

Moyes has no doubt as to the Gunners' quality but expects both sides to set themselves up to win, rather than to stifle the opposition.

"They are a very good attacking side with lots of options in their squad,'' said Moyes, whose side were thrashed 6-1 by Arsenal in the corresponding fixture last season.

"I think they will come and do what Arsenal do.

"But I think we have played quite well against them in the last few games, although obviously the first one last season wasn't the case.

"It is a game that over the years I think has been quite close.''

England left-back Kieran Gibbs returns to the Arsenal squad following a knee injury.

However, goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (elbow), centre-half Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), midfielder Abou Diaby (ankle) and defender Laurent Koscielny (suspension) remain unavailable, while Aaron Ramsey continues his rehabilitation following a broken leg.

Arsenal head to Everton with confidence renewed following their battling win against Wolves at Molineux in midweek.

However, while the Gunners remain five points off leaders Chelsea, Everton are currently 12th, but only two points from fifth-placed Newcastle.

"This season is by far the most open I have experienced,'' said Arsene Wenger.

"If you look at some teams who are in the middle of the table, the quality of the teams they have, it is quite frightening.

"It will be very interesting until the end and as I said many times the team who can get together all the difference ingredients needed in every single game for the longest will win it.

"At the moment, Chelsea has a good advantage but apart from Chelsea everybody looks to have a chance, but also looks certain not to be in the top four.''

Wenger continued: "I am convinced we have the potential and have the right spirit, we have shown that again against Wolves on Wednesday night.

"We go to Everton where we will want to show a similar commitment that we have at Wolves.''

Arsenal will have a large number of players involved in next week's friendly between England and France at Wembley.

Teenage midfielder Jack Wilshere look set for another senior call-up by Fabio Capello and could be handed a first start.

"Of course it is good for Jack to feel he is part of the national team, and he has a chance because in friendlies you can look at players,'' Wenger said.

"Jack is a player who had an exceptional start to the season, has given a lot and has full commitment, a good combination of talent, intelligence and is still very young.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 13 Nov 10