All the action from the first half
Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Nigel Winterburn will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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RVP'S WONDER STRIKE SECURES THE POINTS! Arsenal celebrate their 125th anniversary and their captain marks the occasion with one of the goals of the season
Full Time IT'S ALL OVER! ARSENAL HAVE WON!
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KOSCIELNY HACKS CLEAR: Arsenal defending desperately here as Everton throw everyone forward
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MCALENY WITH THE SHOT! And that is the closest Everton have come... great effort beats Szczesny but bounces past the post
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VAN PERSIE LETS FLY: Narrow angle but he goes for it anyway and why not? This time the captain's effort clears Howard's bar
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SONG TRIES TO PICK OUT RVP: Good pass, good run into the box, but Howard scampers off his line to claim
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WE'RE INTO STOPPAGE TIME: Four minutes to be added on. Gulp
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Substitution FINAL ARSENAL CHANGE: Off comes Walcott after a fine display and on comes Emmanuel Frimpong to shore up that midfield
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IGGY GETS STUCK IN: Good challenge on Coleman, he didn't give him an inch to turn there
88
ROSICKY IS TRIPPED: Free-kick to Arsenal 45 yards from goal. They can waste a bit of time here. Arteta to Walcott but Theo loses it and Everton can knock it long
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GUEYE SHOOTS... but that rolls wide of Szczesny's left-hand post. He hasn't had many shots to save really, just crosses to deal with
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SZCZESNY CLAIMS WELL: Big catch by Wojciech as another dangerous cross is whipped in to the Arsenal box
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Nigel Winterburn will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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#ARSENALLIVE: That's the Twitter hashtag to use if you're following the match. Leave your comments there and we'll publish a selection right here
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WELL DONE DJOUROU: He wins two 50-50s to get his cross in but RVP and Walcott can't quite get the ball under control and get a shot in
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A TENSE FINALE? It could well be. Big test for Miquel up against Coleman and company as Everton push for that equaliser
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Substitution OFF COMES GERVINHO: And on comes Rosicky for the home side
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Substitution DOUBLE CHANGE FOR ARSENAL: Vermaelen is obviously feeling the effects of that clash with Fellaini - he is replaced by Ignasi Miquel
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Yellow Card DISTIN ON WALCOTT: That's a bad foul and Howard Webb reaches for his pocket again
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BACK UNDERWAY: And here come Everton. Arteta makes a block but it's a corner to Everton... taken quickly and scrambled away
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THAT RVP GOAL: We're watching the replay while Vermaelen gets treatment and it just gets better... the way he watches the ball onto his foot. Superb technique
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VERMAELEN GOES DOWN: He got a whack in the face from Fellaini but it looks innocent enough. Thomas will need some attention but he'll be back on
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RVP MEETS IT WELL! But he thumps his header over the bar and shouts at himself. That was a decent chance
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CORNER TO ARSENAL: Ramsey does well to win it and Arteta will take it against his old club. Mertesacker stays back for this one
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Substitution HERE COMES THE OTHER SUB: It's Magaye Gueye for Bilyaletdinov
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Substitution DOUBLE CHANGE FOR EVERTON: Off comes Neville, on comes Conor McAleny
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KOSCIELNY SHRUGS OFF FELLAINI: Excellent defending from Laurent. He reads the game so well and bided his time before nicking the ball away
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VERMAELEN v COLEMAN: That has been a right old battle down Arsenal's left. Vermaelen has just about had the better of it
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'HE SCORES WHEN HE WANTS...' RVP's new chant is next up for the home fans. Trust him to mark the 125th anniversary with a goal like that
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SUBS WARMING UP: Arshavin is among them. Gervinho has faded in the second half so perhaps he'll be sacrificed. Meanwhile 'One-nil to the Arsenal!' echoes around the Emirates.
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TECHNICALLY PERFECT: The skipper had the perfect body shape to keep over that volley and send it low past Tim Howard. Look out for it on the Goal of the Season shortlist
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BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT GOAL! Song clips the ball over the top and RVP meets it with a volley that fizzes in off the post. Arsenal in front!
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GOAL! - Robin van Persie 1 : 0 WHAT A STRIKE FROM ROBIN VAN PERSIE!
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#ARSENALLIVE: That's the Twitter hashtag to use if you're following the match. Leave your comments there and we'll publish a selection right here
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EVERTON ON TOP: This is a much more even game since the break with Arsenal on the back foot much more. Fellaini is having a fine game and he gets a shot away... but that is high and wide
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NEVILLE FIRST-TIME EFFORT: And that curls just over the bar. He's not known for his prowess in front of goal but that was a fine effort
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RESHUFFLE FOR THE VISITORS: Fellaini has gone further forward to support Cahill, Neville has pushed into midfield
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Substitution EVERTON MAKE A CHANGE: And it's a pretty defensive on. Off comes a striker, Saha, and on comes a defender, Distin
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SONG WITH THE THROUGH-BALL... and this time Howard beats RVP to it
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WALCOTT DINKS IN A CROSS: And RVP is battling to get on the end of it but the challenge is just too strong. Only half-chances now for the Gunners, they need to find an extra gear
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EVERTON PRESSURE: They are coming into the game more and more. Some dangerous crosses, but Arsenal standing firm. Koscielny has been superb again
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MASSIVE HEADER: Wonderful cross from the right and Vermaelen heads away under immense pressure from Cahill. Still a corner to Everton... but RVP clears the danger
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BAINES SWINGS IT IN... and Szczesny punches with authority
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FREE-KICK EVERTON: Coleman goes past Vermaelen and the Belgian doesn't get out of the way - as if he should. The linesman flags and Everton have a great chance to test Arsenal's back four
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CRACKING EFFORT THEO: Ramsey to Walcott, he slips it through his marker's legs and tests Howard with a fierce drive
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WELL DONE SONG: He gets away from Saha to pick out Mertesacker and get another move going... it ends with Walcott cutting inside and shooting over the top
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SNAP-SHOT WALCOTT: Vermaelen's header lands at his feet and he smacks the ball on the volley. His shot turns into a cross and RVP nearly guides it in
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Nigel Winterburn will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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CAHILL FINDS HIS BOOTS... and latches onto a through-ball. He shoots, Szczesny saves, but the flag was up anyway
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CAHILL LOSES A BOOT! Everton break, Coleman finds Cahill and Aussie looses a boot. Howard Webb stops play and Cahill is in a grump because he didn't have a replacement waiting for him
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E-MAIL OUR COMMENTARY TEAM: It's www.arsenal.com/studio if you want to get in touch with Dan Roebuck and Nigel Winterburn
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#ARSENALLIVE: That's the Twitter hashtag to use if you're following the match. Leave your comments there and we'll publish a selection right here
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WALCOTT IS BACK ON... and just offside. Another clever run is picked out but the flag stops him from going any further
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RVP GETS AWAY: He cuts back onto his left foot and lays it off for Vermaelen... but his shot is blocked
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TREATMENT FOR THEO: He's back on his feet and walking gingerly along the touchline. It looks like he'll continue though
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GOOD INTERPLAY: Song and Arteta link up well in midfield and release Walcott, but Theo pulls up with an injury. He's still down - has he twisted something? That would be a real blow, he's playing well
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WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY AT THE EMIRATES: Howard Webb gets us started. Can Arsenal find a killer instinct to match their approach play?
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MONTAGE: The big screens show footage of Friday's statue unveilings - Henry, Adams and Chapman. You can watch it all on Arsenal Player of course
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MMMM, HOT CHOCOLATE: Just what's needed on a chilly day like this. Throw in a couple of Arsenal goals and I'll be happy
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BACK IN A BIT: Make sure you stay with our Matchday Show for first-half highlights and analysis, plus a competition. I'm off for a hot drink
Half Time PEEP PEEP PEEEEEEEP: Howard Webb gives three blasts on his whistle to bring the first half to a close. Arsenal have been largely dominant and they really should be in front, but poor finishing and poor final balls have rescued Everton. Walcott has been the main threat
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SAHA FROM LONG RANGE: That drops kindly 30 yards from goal but Saha's weaker foot guides the ball wide
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INTO STOPPAGE TIME: We had a couple of knocks with Djourou and Saha down for a while. Nothing major though
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CAHILL HEADS AWAY: Good defending but Arsenal still press forward and Walcott crosses... but that hits Baines, hits Walcott and lands nicely for Baines to clear. Grrr.
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GOOD FROM ARSENAL: They have made all the running in the first half and get another corner thanks to Gervinho's work. RVP to take it...
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HANDBALL! Big shout from Vermaelen as his header bounces goalwards from RVP's cross. Howard Webb having none of it. The replay is inconclusive
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HERE COMES WALCOTT: Good one-two with RVP and his cross is deflected behind for a corner. Theo definitely the dangerman. Corner comes in and Howard punches clear
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VERMAELEN VERY SOLID: He has kept Coleman quiet and launched a number of attacks from his left-back position
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JAGIELKA AND RVP EXCHANGING WORDS: Something has gone on between them and Theo steps in to calm things down
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Yellow Card BOOKING FOR RAMSEY: Aaron incurs the wrath of Howard Webb
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#ARSENALLIVE: That's the Twitter hashtag to use if you're following the match. Leave your comments there and we'll publish a selection right here
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THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! RVP plays in Walcott and his cut-back is cleared before it reaches Gervinho
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RVP BELOW-PAR? The skipper gets in a good position 30 yards out but he lets the ball run away from him when he'd usually find room for a shot at goal
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BIG DIAGONAL: Ramsey searches out Walcott with a raking pass from left to right but it bounces up nicely for Howard to claim
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FOUL ON RAMSEY: Cahill clipped him there. No card but a free-kick in the centre circle. 'Arsenal! Arsenal! Arsenal!' rings out around the Emirates
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OFFSIDE TRAP: Arsenal are running in behind Everton time and again. Sometimes the pass is delayed and the flag goes up but, eventually, you sense the home team will get it right, time the pass and apply the finish
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GERVINHO IS THROUGH: But he smacks his shot against Howard's legs - how many chances do Arsenal need to take the lead?
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SO UNLUCKY RAMSEY! He latches onto a ball into the box and turns back to wrong-foot a defender and the keeper, then spins and clips a shot just over. Inches over in fact
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CAHILL ON THE RIGHT: Shouts of 'handball' from the home fans but he scuffs it out for a goal kick anyway
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DON'T HIT IT ROBIN! Ball over the top finds RVP and Walcott running through but the captain is offside. He should leave it for Theo but he calls for it and shoots. Up goes the flag - good from the linesman. Walcott is down injured but up he gets and we're ready to continue
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ARTETA WITH THE FREE-KICK... he squares it to Vermaelen but his shot is blocked. Fellaini dispossesses Gervinho and the visitors come forward but Gervinho gets back well to deny Bilyaletdinov
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Yellow Card WALCOTT ON THE BREAK... and he's brought down by Coleman. He goes in the book, that was cynical
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NOT SO QUIET NOW: That gilt-edged Arsenal chance changed the mood; the home fans are getting right behind their team now. Arsenal still on top but Everton look useful
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CORNER TO ARSENAL: Up comes Mertesacker, up comes Koscielny (who scored the winner in this fixture last season). But that one is cleared and Everton get the free-kick
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OFFSIDE - JUST! Gervinho plays RVP through on goal but the flag goes up. That was very, very close (although the skipper took the ball a bit wide anyway)
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UP GOES SZCZESNY: He has to adjust his feet but claims Bilyaletdinov's cross comfortably
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RAMSEY SWINGS IN THE CROSS! And Walcott leaps but can't quite connect. It's been all about Theo so far - he looks in great form. And he tried to do the right thing with that chance...
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BAINES TRIPS WALCOTT: Arsenal want a yellow card for the Everton man but Howard Webb disagrees
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Yellow Card ARTETA GOES IN THE BOOK: A yellow card for Mikel against his old club for a cynical foul as Everton break away
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WHAT A CHANCE! Arteta gets free and releases Walcott and Theo opts to square it instead of shooting. Ramsey can't reach the cut-back and Gervinho miskicks. He gets to the rebound but Howard saves. Dear oh dear - that should have been 1-0
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BIT QUIET HERE: After all that pre-match noise the home fans are waiting for something to get them out of their seats
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WELL DONE VERMALEN: Coleman tests Thomas on the right but Arsenal get a goal-kick after the attempted cross ricochets off the Everton winger
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VAN PERSIE CROSSES: But that is too close to Howard, Walcott won't get there. Theo tracks back quickly to close down Baines on his flank - good defending
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SAHA WITH THE SHOT! That's blocked but Arsenal can't get it away... goal-mouth scramble... and finally the danger passes
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GERVINHO MAKES ANOTHER RUN... and this time Howard scampers out to claim as the Ivorian races into the box
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DJOUROU GOES DOWN: That was a nasty collision with Saha and Johan needs treatment. He's going to try and run it off though - what is it with full-backs and injuries?
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ARSENAL TENTATIVE: The home side are feeling their way into the match but the passing isn't quite crisp enough at the moment
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DOES WENGER FEEL THE COLD? He's opted for a suit and nothing more for the first half. I know it's sunny but it's freezing cold!
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EVERTON WORKING HARD: They are closing down space in midfield but Arsenal find room and Ramsey almost plays Walcott in. That pass was just too heavy
4
MERTESACKER CLEARS: That was an unconvincing kick from Szczesny following a back-pass from the German but Per hacks away as Jagielka knocks the ball back into the box
3
GERVINHO MAKES THE RUN... but the through-ball is marginally overhit
2
WALCOTT GOES THROUGH... but he's offside. Looked like the right decision. Arsenal on top in the early stages but, hold on, Everton break and Koscielny makes a fine challenge inside the box
1
HOWARD WEBB: Ever the pantomime villain, the ref got booed by the fans as he received the ball from Danskin's relatives!
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OFF WE GO: Arsenal attacking the Clock End in the first half after the kick-off was decided by the toss of a sixpence - the sum of money contributed by each of the men who founded Arsenal
DANSKIN RELATIVES: The great-great-grandchildren of one of the Club's founding fathers, David Danskin, have presented the match ball to referee Howard Webb.
CENTRE CIRCLE: A nice touch. The Arsenal players head to the centre of the pitch and wave to the fans to show their appreciation - like teams of old have always done. Hopefully that will happen every time...
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag for today's game so have your say and we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
HERE THEY COME... RVP leads out Arsenal, Neville leads out Everton and both teams get a huge reception
CARD DISPLAY: North Bank fans will be holding up cards when the teams arrive - a simple message: 1 2 5
FIVE MINUTES AWAY: Kick-off is fast approaching here at the Emirates. And what a guard of honour: Arsenal legends and flag-waving JGs are ready to welcome the teams
GOOD OLD ARSENAL: That 'classic' from the 1970s gets an airing. Some of the legends on the pitch were responsible for that, remember.
'UP THE ARSENAL!' Tom Watt signs off in style - make sure you catch him on Monday's Fans' Forum to have your say on 125 years of Arsenal and the Everton game too
JUNIOR GUNNERS ARE NEXT: They run out with Arsenal flags and do a lap of the centre circle before forming a guard of honour by the tunnel
'SIGN HIM UP, SIGN HIM UP!' Arsenal fans serenade Henry with a plea for Wenger... meanwhile Manny Frimpong embraces Ian Wright as he completes his warm-up and heads off the pitch
MASSIVE OVATION FOR THIERRY: He was emotional yesterday as he statue was unveiled, he'll be emotional today as well. "It's a great feeling to be here alongside some of our greatest players," he says
MODERN-DAY HEROES: Jens Lehmann, Lauren, Lee Dixon, Ray Parlour, Robert Pires... and the one and only Thierry Henry
FROM 1971 TO 1991: Anders Limpar, Alan Smith, Paul Davis, David O'Leary and George Graham (again)... and here's Ian Wright as well. That is some coat from Wrighty
LEGENDS EVERYWHERE: Bob Wilson, David Court, Frank McLintock, George Graham, Sammy Nelson, John Radford and Charlie George are next to be introduced. Lots of early arrivals at the Emirates greet them warmly
OH ROCKY ROCKY! David Rocastle's son, Brian, is among those fans, and the crowd response with that famous old chant
HERE'S TOM WATT: The Fans' Forum presenter is on the pitch to introduce the special pre-match events. First up: Arsenal fans young and old. They emerge from the tunnel and walk past an imposing Arsenal cannon - one of two pitchside today
The players are limbering up down in front of me and the 125 celebrations will continue shortly with the arrival of some very special guests. Our Matchday Show is underway so login now if you haven't already and enjoy all the action
It's a glorious day here in north London. Chilly, but glorious. Blue skies, sunshine... you could not ask for more on such a momentous occasion
VERMAELEN ON THE LEFT: As expected, Thomas shunts over to replace the injured Santos. Djourou is expected to start on the right while Arteta faces his former club
SUBS: Almunia, Miquel, Frimpong, Benayoun, Rosicky, Arshavin, Chamakh
TEAM NEWS: Szczesny, Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Gervinho, Walcott, Van Persie
#ARSENAL125: If you want to see exclusive pictures from our anniversary celebrations and leave your comments, that's the hashtag you need
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag for today's match so join the debate whenever you want. We'll publish a selection of your comments right here
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTARY TEAM: You can send in your e-mails before, during and after the game to Dan and Nigel - have your say at www.arsenal.com/studio
So what can you expect? Fans' Forum host Tom Watt will be pitchside to greet a host of legends onto the pitch and speak to the Club's record goalscorer, Thierry Henry
The game kicks off at 3pm (UK time) with Dan Roebuck and Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn in the commentary box. But our Matchday Show begins half-an-hour earlier as the 125 celebrations take centre stage
Emirates Stadium is expected to fill up earlier than normal with a series of special events planned before Arsenal face Everton - and you can follow the best coverage right here on Arsenal Player
We've all forgotten anniversaries, haven't we? Not this one. Arsenal are 125 years old this month and the celebrations are in full flow
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
20 DJOUROU, Johan
04 MERTESACKER, Per
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
54 MIQUEL, Ignasi (83)
25 SONG, Alex
08 ARTETA, Mikel
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
14 WALCOTT, Theo
26 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel (90)
27 GERVINHO
07 ROSICKY, Tomas (83)
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
01 ALMUNIA, MANUEL
54 MIQUEL, IGNASI
26 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
30 BENAYOUN, YOSSI
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
24 HOWARD, Tim
02 HIBBERT, Tony
06 JAGIELKA, Phil
05 HEITINGA, Johnny
03 BAINES, Leighton
18 NEVILLE, Phil
40 MCALENY, Conor (76)
25 FELLAINI, Marouane
23 COLEMAN, Seamus
25 BILYALETDINOV, Diniyar
19 GUEYE, Magaye (76)
17 CAHILL, Tim
25 SAHA, Louis
15 DISTIN, Sylvain (63)
01 MUCHA, JAN
15 DISTIN, SYLVAIN
20 BARKLEY, ROSS
11 STRACQUALURSI, DENIS
40 MCALENY, CONOR
19 GUEYE, MAGAYE
27 VELLIOS, APOSTOLOS
Top Comments:
Nigel Winterburn on Arsenal Player says:
I have noticed Miquel keeps on getting forward, but he doesn't need to. He just needs to keep the back four solid.