Arsenal will hope to put the disappointment of the Manchester United loss behind them and get back to winning ways when they face Everton at Goodison Park.
Despite starting the season brightly, questions were still asked of Rafael Benitez as the fans were sceptical about the former Liverpool boss. In recent weeks, the pressure has mounted on the Everton, with some suggesting a loss against Arsenal could be the final straw in the Spaniard’s reign at Goodison Park.
Since a 2-0 win over Norwich City at the end of September, Benitez has failed to guide Everton to victory, and eight games have passed since. The Toffees have also lost three consecutive matches ahead of the Arsenal clash, with the latest coming in the form of a thrashing at the hands of local rivals Liverpool.
The poor results since the win over Norwich have been attributed to injury-enforced issues. As those problems still majorly persist, Benitez has learnt the hard way there is no place to hide at Everton. The pressure is truly on the Spanish tactician as a defeat to the Gunners could see the former Liverpool manager depart.
On the other hand, Arsenal have endured a mixed set of results in recent weeks. After a thorough thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, the Gunners bounced back to secure three points against Newcastle United last weekend. Mikel Arteta might have hoped his side took advantage of Manchester United’s bad run of form, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to inspire a brilliant win for the Red Devils.
The Gunners missed out on the chance to leap ahead of West Ham United in fourth place after the Hammers played out a draw with Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the week. Arteta will hope to keep the pressure on their London rivals in the race for the final Champions League spot. He will also be wary of Manchester United, who lurk right behind them with only two points keeping them apart heading into the latest round of fixtures.
Arsenal have an opportunity to set the record straight when they take on an Everton side shorn of confidence and winless in eight Premier League games. Arteta will be wary of taking their opponents for granted and aim to set out a strong lineup to secure three important points.
Team News & Tactics
Everton
"Dominic Calvert-Lewin is getting better, he's doing really well, but he's still a couple of weeks [away], minimum. We have to be careful."
Watch: https://t.co/XtiPOFc3nJ pic.twitter.com/cCHo8L2JND
— Everton (@Everton) December 3, 2021
Rafael Benitez will likely make a few changes to his side following the latest injury updates. Striker Solomon Rondon pulled a hamstring earlier in the week and could be out for the foreseeable future, which could force the Everton boss to shift personnel in the final third. Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Andre Gomes remain absent.
The double pivot in midfield might not change as Abdoulaye Doucoure’s return has certainly provided some stability in the middle of the park for Benitez. Allan is expected to start alongside the Frenchman. Anthony Gordon could be played out wide on the left-hand side, with Andros Townsend taking the right flank.
Yerry Mina is hoping to be fit for the encounter, and if the Colombian passes his fitness test, he might partner Michael Keane at the heart of the Everton defence. Ben Godfrey had a decent overall game against Liverpool, despite his team conceding four times, and he will start if Mina is unfit.
Mason Holgate has returned from a suspension, although Benitez might prefer to keep him on the bench following a dismal run of games at the back. Seamus Coleman is likely to keep his spot at right-back, while Lucas Digne will continue to play on the left flank.
The absence of recognised strikers such as Calvert-Lewin and now Rondon will allow Richarlison to lead the line for Everton. Demarai Gray will play right behind him in a role he has reprised well. The probable shape of the Everton side could relegate ex-Arsenal attacker Alex Iwobi to a bench role, although he might have hoped for a reunion.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Digne; Townsend, Allan, Doucoure, Gordon; Gray; Richarlison
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has a few fitness doubts heading into the game but there is nothing too major to force wholesale changes. Despite their loss at Old Trafford, the Spaniard is set to stick with most of his starters, although a few essential changes might be on the cards.
Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel can all consider their spots safe for this clash, but Arteta might ponder bringing Kieran Tierney back into the fold. Nuno Tavares has kept the exceptional Scottish left-back out for many games, but the Everton clash might allow the manager to rest the Portuguese youngster.
Back to the training pitches.
Back to work.? London Colney
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 4, 2021
Albert Sambi Lokonga is likely to come back into the side and replace Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian was effective against Manchester United, but his ultra-defensive approach may not suit the Everton game as the Gunners will be looking to attack and play advanced passes. Thomas Partey might keep his place in midfield, despite a sloppy game at Old Trafford.
Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt due to some physical discomfort, as confirmed by Arteta during his press conference. A late fitness test might determine his chances to play, and if he misses out, then Nicolas Pepe or Gabriel Martinelli could replace him.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka, who proved his fitness by getting decent minutes at Old Trafford, should return to the starting lineup and be on the right side of the attack. However, if Arteta decides to bring Pepe in, then Saka might move to the left, although the signs point towards the exclusion of the Ivorian.
Despite poor showing in the recent few games, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to lead the line for Arsenal. Alexandre Lacazette is an option to replace the Arsenal captain, but Arteta has recently ditched the effective 4-4-2 to revert to the 4-2-3-1 shape. It has allowed Martin Odegaard to start games at the expense of the Frenchman, and the Norwegian should feature again.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Aubameyang
Key Stats
- Everton won both Premier League games against Arsenal last season. They have not won three in a row against the Gunners in league competition since April 1986. However, Arsenal are without a win in their last three Premier League away games against Everton (D1 L2), last having a longer winless league run at Goodison Park between 1989 and 1994 (6 games)
- Arsenal have scored 111 Premier League goals against Everton, more than they have versus any other side in the competition. Indeed, only Manchester United have netted more against a single opponent in the competition (112 vs Newcastle).
- Arsenal have lost two of their last three games in the Premier League (W1), conceding seven goals in the process. Prior to this, the Gunners had gone unbeaten in their previous eight matches (W6 D2) and conceded only four times.
- Everton have lost six of their last seven Premier League matches (D1) and are winless in their last eight (D2 L6). The Toffees have not gone nine without a win since a 12-game run between August and October 1994.
- Demarai Gray has scored more Premier League goals than any other Everton player this season (4). He has never netted more than four in a Premier League season in his career, also finding the back of the net four times in 2018/19 at Leicester City. Emile Smith Rowe has had a hand in eight goals in his last 11 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal (6 goals, 2 assists). Indeed, only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (9) has more goal involvements for the Gunners this season than the 21-year-old (8).
Player To Watch
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Arsenal captain has endured a difficult time this season as his profligacy continues in front of the goal. Aubameyang’s goalscoring stats have seen an alarming drop with each passing season, and currently, the Gabon star is scoring or assisting once every 259 minutes in the Premier League this season, which is a terrible record.
Arteta is expected to continue with his captain to lead the line and he will do so against Everton. However, Aubameyang will have to take on the pressure and add belief into his game. Scoring goals would be the best way to prove the doubters wrong, and the Gunners need their skipper to restore his old form more than ever.
Prediction
Everton 1-2 Arsenal
Everton might find it hard to get past Arsenal and end their winless run in the Premier League. Rafael Benitez will feel all the pressure with such a result, with Arsenal the favourites to take three points away from Goodison Park. The Gunners have continuity with fit stars, something Everton have missed all season.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping for some of his regular, out of form stars to regain confidence and get back to helping the club finish in the top-four. We expect Arsenal to secure all three points against Everton and heap more pressure on Benitez, and this could also prove to be the Spaniard’s last game at the club.
