Picking up steam at the right time as they stalk front-runners Chelsea, Arsenal look to make it four wins on the bounce Tuesday when they face an Everton squad in crisis at Goodison Park.The Gunners (10-4-1) kept pace with their London rivals over the weekend, beating Stoke City 3-1 while the Blues disposed of West Bromwich Albion. Arsenal overcame an early penalty by Charlie Adam as Theo Walcott equalised late in the first half and got goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi after the interval.These were the kind of games last season where Arsenal stumbled, dropping points to mid-table teams that eventually scuttled their title hopes. But this time around, after running rampant to ring up 11 goals versus Bournemouth, West Ham United and now the Potters, manager Arsene Wenger thinks his team is in the right frame of mind ahead of this quick turnaround.Look, we were not too bad last year. We finished second in the league. I believe we have improved yes, Wenger said post-match. But we have to show that on a longer term. I believe that we have created confidence. I think we are ambitious -- but what is at stake is to keep urgency levels very high, humility levels very high and togetherness very high.We have to show that in every single game now. Then we will see where we stand.Wenger, though, must shuffle his central defence pairing once more for this match.While Hector Bellerin returned, he did so at the expense of Shkodran Mustafi, who was forced off after 25 minutes due to a hamstring injury. Wenger expects Mustafi to miss at least three weeks, which essentially rules him out of this busy stretch of fixtures until the new year.Arsenal have been ruthless on the road in league play with an impressive 5-2-0 mark while outscoring opponents 18-5. Sanchez has been the centre of nearly all things goal related outside the Emirates, finding the back of the net eight times and assisting on two others.The Chile international, however, has failed to score in four career contests versus Everton.It was the second goal for Iwobi in his last two matches, having also netted against FC Basel in Champions League play. The 20-year-old Nigeria international had not figured on a goal since contributing a pair of assists in a win at Hull City on Sept. 17.Everton (5-5-5) have slipped to ninth in the table, sandwiched between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton on goal difference. The Toffees are 0-2-3 after a 3-2 defeat at Watford on Saturday. While Romelu Lukaku accounted for both goals, Evertons lack of aggression and slack defending provided an escape route the Hornets gratefully took and left manager Ronald Koeman lamenting his teams mental state.We were the dominant team and scored a good goal, but then the problems started, Koeman said. We werent the same in controlling the game, we had bad mistakes in our ball possession and not good communication.The Toffees are 1-4-5 after opening the season with 13 points in their first five contests. Much like last season, defence have been at the core of their struggles -- Everton have produced just one clean sheet in their last 11 games.The struggles have prompted talk Koeman will be very active in the January transfer window as he tries to rebuild the team to his liking. Everton are a veteran-laden squad, and players like Kevin Mirallas and James McCarthy could be on the move next month.And while Lukaku was pleased he ended a five-game goal-scoring drought, he noted Everton must regroup quickly in a pivotal week of matches. After this contest, the Toffees host Liverpool on Dec. 19 as the Merseyside rivals renew ancient hostilities once more.Its going to be difficult (in the next two games) but you play football to have challenges like that, said Lukaku, who has two goals in 10 lifetime matches versus Arsenal, to Evertons official website. It is down to us to step up and make sure we are present on the day.Arsenal did the double over Everton last season, have won three on the bounce between the teams and are unbeaten in the last four (3-1-0). Sanchez had an assist and Iwboi had a goal in last seasons corresponding fixture, a 2-0 Gunners victory.It hasnt been much of a rivalry for the past decade as Arsenal have taken 12 wins in the last 19 matches. Everton have claimed just one. The Gunners are 5-3-1 in their last nine at Goodison Park in Premier League play. Ruben Loftus-Cheek Jersey . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Olivier Giroud Chelsea Jersey . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. http://www.chelseasoccerjerseysonline.com/womens-ethan-ampadu-chelsea-jersey/ . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Olivier Giroud Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. Willy Caballero Chelsea Jersey . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Demaryius Thomas aching left hip only bothers him when he makes sharp cuts or takes a hit.In other words, just about everything the Denver Broncos receiver does on the field.Still, Thomas feels optimistic about his playing status Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.The Broncos will take an extra cautious approach with Thomas to make sure he stays strong for the season.Understandable, since last year Thomas dealt with a neck injury that lingered for most of the season.For a second straight day, Thomas was limited in practice. He took the same number of reps Thursday as the day before, but these were a little more significant, coach Gary Kubiak said.We try to script him the right way to get reps, but not have him waste a lot of running in other areas, Kubiak said.Thomas said he hurt the hip on his second catch in a season-opening win over Carolina on Thursday -- a short reception during the Broncos second drive. He had an MRI and then had it sent off for a second opinion.Protocol, he said.Steadily, his hip is getting less and less sore. The extra days of rest have definitely helped.I think Ill be fine, said Thomas, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract before last season.Were still going to take it day by day. ... Come game time, nothing to worry about then because youre either going to go out and be 100 (percent) to help the team or be on the sideline.Although hes optimistic, hes learned the painful way not to rush back.Thomas was bothered by a neck ailment after taking a hit from Minnesota safety Harrison Smith last October. It stayed with him.And while Thomas posted his second consecutive 100-catch season and fourth straight season with at least 1,300 yards receiving, he was a non-factor in the playoffs, catching just seven of 21 passes thrown his way for 60 yards annd no touchdowns.ddddddddddddThomas has been hampered by injuries before, missing the first five games in 2011 while recovering from an offseason Achilles tendon injury and a broken thumb suffered in training camp.In 2010, the first-round pick out of Georgia Tech missed the first game of his rookie season with a foot ailment. He missed more later in the season because of a balky ankle.Lately, hes been extremely durable -- starting every game since 2012.Knock on wood, Thomas said as he did just that on his locker. It (injuries) happens with what we do as a profession. You keep getting your treatment and hopefully by game day youre ready to go and hopefully nothing freaky happens.Should Thomas be limited, things would open up for receiver Emmanuel Sanders, along with Cody Latimer and Jordan Taylor. Bennie Fowler could potentially see more playing time as well.First, though, he has to fully mend. Fowler was a DNP -- did not practice -- for a second straight day.The 23-year-old receiver from Michigan State has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his left elbow during a preseason game on Aug. 11. Fowler said hes 100 percent, but would leave it up to the coaching staff whether he would play.I know that D.T. might be struggling a little bit with his hip right now, Fowler said. But at the same time, I cant go out there and risk myself getting hurt and setting myself back.Game notes DE Derek Wolfe was limited in practice because of a sore neck. He practiced yesterday and (it) got a little sore on him, Kubiak said. Well see where hes at (Friday). ... OL Ty Sambrailo (elbow/ankle) was limited in practice Thursday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
