Arsenal will aim to return to winning ways as they host an Everton side boosted with ample time to prepare for this game at the Emirates.
Arsenal suffered a setback in their quest to catch up to Liverpool at the top of the table last weekend, but they could only muster a draw away to Fulham as they get set to host Everton up next. The Gunners did have a few key injuries to contend with for that away trip and did put in a decent performance, but unfortunately, it was not enough to collect three points.
Late in the game, Arsenal were celebrating a winning goal by Bukayo Saka, but Gabriel Martinelli was slightly offside in the build-up, thus resulting in VAR ruling the strike off. In any case, the Gunners duly responded in midweek with a comfortable 3-0 win over AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League, which took them up to third on the standings, which has boosted their chances of finishing in the automatic qualification places.
Back in Premier League action, they face an Everton side that has been challenging for Mikel Arteta to compete with. Last season, Arsenal won both their games against the Toffees. The Gunners’ boss wants his side to return to winning ways and resume their quest of catching Liverpool at the top, as more slip-ups will severely damage their chances of that.
Sean Dyche came under pressure and might have escaped further scrutiny last weekend following the Premier League’s decision to call off the Merseyside Derby. Adverse weather conditions forced the issue just hours before the kick-off, meaning Everton enjoyed an extended period of rest ahead of their trip to North London.
Some might argue that Everton had momentum heading into the Merseyside Derby, following their 4-0 win over Wolves in their game in last week. Dyche hopes that this will remain the case ahead of this tough clash with Arsenal, as the manager wants a statement result here at the Emirates.
The pressure is already on the Everton boss, with suggestions that some more bad results could cost him his job in the dugout. The Toffees will play Chelsea at home and then make the trip to the Etihad to take on Manchester City. Results in these three games could affect Dyche’s future, which will also be a bit harsh from a neutral perspective.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta did deliver some good news on the injury front, as the Arsenal manager confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes could feature against Everton without confirming his status as a starter. The ideal situation is for the Brazilian to start alongside William Saliba in the heart of the defence, although a decision needs to be made on the left-back role.
The idea of starting Jurrien Timber at left-back creates imbalance on the left side, as the Dutchman is more suited on the right. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s top-class performance has undoubtedly given Arteta something to think about ahead of the Everton side, as there is a chance the teenager starts back-to-back games.
Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are absent, while Riccardo Calafiori is not expected to return to action. Should Arteta start Lewis-Skelly or even ponder the most remote possibility of using Kieran Tierney or Jakub Kiwior at left-back, then Thomas Partey could return to his usual midfield position. However, Declan Rice showed this midweek to explain why he is a top-rated No.6.
Gabriel Martinelli had another frustrating midweek outing, and Arteta could switch to using Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side. Kai Havertz would prefer to take on a physical Everton defence, while Bukayo Saka would start on the right side of the Arsenal front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Everton
Sean Dyche will not have too much to consider when making decisions on his team selection. At this point, the team picks itself, although a few insignificant injury doubts may not have a big effect on his decision-making.
Michael Keane might make the trip to the Emirates as he recovers from a knee issue, although he might not usurp James Tarkowski or Jarrad Branthwaite in the central defensive pairing. James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam and Youssef Chermiti are the other absentees ahead of this Arsenal clash.
Veteran Ashley Young should be in line to start at right-back, while Vitaliy Mykolenko will be preferred on the left-hand side. Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala are best placed players for the central midfield roles, with Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil out in the wide areas.
Abdoulaye Doucoure will continue to be deployed in a role more advanced than that of other midfielders behind leading striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has not scored a goal in his last ten Premier League games.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Ndiaye, Gueye, Mangala, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won ten of their last 11 home matches against Everton in all competitions.
- Arsenal are undefeated in 30 of their last 33 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have scored at least two goals in ten of their last 11 home matches against Everton in all competitions.
- Everton have not scored a goal in four of their last five Premier League matches.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not scored a Premier League goal in ten games.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Magalhaes
The injury boost will be massive for Arsenal, as Gabriel will likely return to the starting lineup to face Everton. Jakub Kiwior has done a solid enough job deputising for the Brazilian international, but the Gunners are significantly better when Gabriel plays.
His presence will be a big factor in the game against Everton, especially with set pieces at both ends of the pitch. Set pieces are also a strong suit for the away side, while Gabriel will also be tasked with dealing with some of the physically imposing Everton attackers, like Abdoulaye Doucoure and specifically Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Saturday’s game for the Toffees will be tactical, as they will have to ensure they keep the Gunners at bay for as long as possible. The first goal will be crucial to either side’s chances, as Sean Dyche will target taking the lead and making a monumental effort to defend it.
However, Arsenal are likely to have their key defender Gabriel Magalhaes, back in the setup, making it extremely difficult for Everton to score. The Gunners are also improving on the attacking front with every passing game, and leaving aside the Fulham performance, Mikel Arteta’s men are expected to score comfortably and win against Everton at the Emirates while also keeping a clean sheet in the process.
