Arsenal will look to build momentum and have revenge on their minds when they host Sean Dyche’s Everton at the Emirates.
Arsenal have come out of their recent slump, which included defeats to Everton and Manchester City with two important victories away from home against Aston Villa and Leicester City. While the former was a goal-laden affair, the latest victory only saw a solitary strike from Gabriel Martinelli to seal three points.
Those victories have placed Arsenal back at the summit. Manchester City had recently crawled back to the top spot after beating the Gunners. Mikel Arteta will want his side to continue with their momentum, take another win, and seek revenge against Everton.
💬 "What we have to do tomorrow in front of our crowd is go full tilt, go to win the game, play well and compete really well against this team."
A big opportunity tomorrow, Gooners. Let's bring that energy 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 28, 2023
The midweek clash is also Arsenal’s game in hand, which got postponed owing to Queen Elizabeth’s death. A win here would see the Gunners take a five-point lead at the top and level on the number of games played with Manchester City. Three points will also give Arteta the base to target wins from their next three games before the international break kicks in.
Everton seemed to have turned a leaf with Sean Dyche’s appointment and victory in his first game in charge, incidentally against Arsenal. The former Burnley boss has secured two wins and as many defeats in his four games in charge as the Toffees continue with their inconsistency.
That win over the Gunners lifted them out of the relegation zone. However, defeats to Liverpool and Aston Villa have seen them re-enter the bottom three, where they languish in the 18th spot. Against the latter, Dyche’s men could not take advantage of early pressure, as Emi Martinez made some crucial saves to deny them goals.
Ollie Watkins and Emi Buendia then sealed the three points, which added to the pressure on the Toffees boss. Yet, Dyche will take confidence from his record against Arteta and the earlier win over Arsenal. While Everton have a dreadful record against the north Londoners at the Emirates, their manager would hope to change that.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
After a few of his key stars returned to fitness, Mikel Arteta has several key decisions to make. Thomas Partey, who missed the two games before Leicester City, came off the bench to play the last part. While the Ghanaian is ahead of Jorginho in the pecking order, the manager must consider the next few games before deciding.
Another big week awaits – let's make it a good one 👊 pic.twitter.com/1ONtIfXVRY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 27, 2023
Jorginho has done brilliantly in Partey’s absence and gave Arteta no reason to drop him. However, the Arsenal boss once more indicated Partey had not trained much, which echoes last week’s updates. Hence, the Italian international could again get the nod, with Partey likely to feature at the weekend against Bournemouth.
There is also the question about Eddie Nketiah, who did not start against Leicester. While the suggestion was of an ankle knock, the striker did end the game on the pitch with a cameo. Arteta will likely include the forward from the start. Leandro Trosssard, however, gave him something to consider regarding the false-nine role.
Gabriel Jesus continues progressing after joining training last week on the injury front. Mohamed Elneny remains a long-term absentee. Other than that, Arteta will not make any notable changes. But he might shuffle the pack for the Bournemouth and Sporting CP clashes.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Everton
Sean Dyche will have to contend without key striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the Arsenal clash. The Everton boss will make a late call on who leads the line, with Neal Maupay, Ellis Simms and Demarai Gray in contention. Maupay has been a thorn against the Gunners in the past, but he could take the punt on the other two forwards.
Everton are unlikely to change their setup due to the absence of Calvert-Lewin. While the team effectively came out unscathed from their loss to Aston Villa, Dyche might go with a defensive approach and put three midfielders to thwart the threat of Arsenal.
Sean Dyche provides an update on James Garner and Nathan Patterson's return…
Watch live: https://t.co/APfhl7mT92 pic.twitter.com/f9ML6wKEiH
— Everton (@Everton) February 27, 2023
Idrissa Gueye will hold the midfield, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Amadou Onana on either side. Vitaliy Mykolenko will continue at left-back, with James Tarkowski and Conor Coady occupying the central defensive roles.
Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil will continue to provide the width from the wings, although those two can push further ahead to support the main striker. Maupay serves a pragmatic approach well, but Gray could provide some fluidity, especially if they convert into a front three.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Doucoure, Gueye, Onana, McNeil; Maupay
Key Stats
- Everton have won none of their last seven away games, scoring just once in that run.
- Sean Dyche has lost only once in six games against Mikel Arteta, conceding only twice in that run.
- Arsenal have won 99 league games against Everton, and they could become the first team in English league history to register 100 wins against a specific opponent.
- Arsenal have scored 177 goals against Everton in the Premier League, more than any team against a single opponent in the competition’s history.
- Arsenal have won eight of their last nine home games against Everton in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Martinelli
Our matchwinner ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EUcR2VB3a5
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 25, 2023
Gabriel Martinelli has come in for plenty of stick in recent weeks for his visible performance dip. While his contract extension certainly boosted the team, his displays have not been on par with the form he showed for the first part of the season.
Even against Leicester City, fans criticised him at half-time for a timid display. He did answer those critics by scoring the winner right after the break. The Brazilian now needs to impose more in games, particularly in the next few games, or risk losing his sport momentarily to Leandro Trossard.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Everton
Everton have made life difficult for Arsenal at Goodison Park two seasons running. But they always tend to struggle at the Emirates. The Gunners thumped them on last season’s final day, which may reflect how they play in north London against this specific opposition.
There are many things to consider before this midweek clash, including Mikel Arteta’s record against Sean Dyche. Arsenal have shown a kind of resilience in the last two games, making them clear favourites to take three points at the Emirates. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Arteta’s charges.
