Arsenal fans will gather around the Emirates in the hope that the Gunners beat Everton and Manchester City falter in their game.
Mikel Arteta will reflect on this season and consider the small margins that may end up costing Arsenal the title on Sunday as he prepares his side to take on Everton on Sunday. The Gunners have been near flawless since the turn of the year, only dropping points in a loss to Aston Villa and a draw against Manchester City during this incredible run of 17 games thus far.
They enter the last matchday with the aim of beating Everton and with the hope that Manchester City falter at home when they host West Ham United. The odds are stacked against Arsenal ahead of the final day of the season, but there is a slim chance for them.
Arsenal had hoped their rivals Tottenham would take something from their home clash with Manchester City. And a late Son Heung-min miss could have swung the balance in the Gunners’ favour. As for Arteta’s side, some might feel they have done all they can in this title race and may have to see out Everton as their final assignment for the season.
Considering how relentless Manchester City have been over the last many years in this end-of-season run-in, they are the clear favourites to win the title, which incidentally will be a historic fourth in a row. As for Arsenal, they must do what they can to give themselves a chance and then hope miracles happen elsewhere.
They face Sean Dyche’s Everton, who have nothing to gain from this game, having pulled off a brilliant end-of-season run. After the 6-0 defeat to Chelsea, they were still in the relegation conversation. But a staggering Merseyside Derby victory over Liverpool ended that threat, and since then, the Toffees have stitched together a five-game unbeaten run.
They have suffered some heavy defeats over the years at the Emirates, including a 5-1 thrashing on the last day of the 2021/22 season. Dyche will hope for a better result this time out to see off a troubled season in a positive light, but the Gunners are clear favourites in this clash.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
As it stands, there are no injury issues for Arsenal from the win over Manchester United. Jurrien Timber may not feature until next season despite the Dutchman being fit and training regularly. However, there is an off chance he will be given some minutes in the closing stages of the game should Mikel Arteta include him in the matchday squad.
Arteta might once again choose an unchanged lineup to face Everton, with Takehiro Tomiyasu continuing to play the left-back role. The Arsenal backline will remain intact, with Golden Glove winner David Raya guarding the goal.
Thomas Partey’s future beyond this season remains a doubt, but he will likely start this clash with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard alongside him in that midfield three. Similarly, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz will continue on that frontline at the expense of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. At the same time, Bukayo Saka will aim to finish the season on a high with probably another goal or assist to his name.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Everton
On paper, Sean Dyche might still be able to name a strong lineup against Arsenal. But he will miss a few key starters, like Vitaliy Mykolenko, who has an ankle problem. Ashley Young should be best placed to take his place at left-back, while Ben Godfrey will likely take the right-back slot ahead of Seamus Coleman.
Dyche is also missing Jack Harrison, who has been immense this season for the Toffees, while other absentees include Nathan Patterson and Dele Alli. The latter will be gutted to have seen another season pass him, as the club will now take a good look at his future before deciding whether to continue the association.
There are also some doubts about Andre Gomes, who took a whack to his face in the win over Sheffield United. But the Portuguese midfielder should be passed fit for this encounter at the Emirates. Dyche could also give some minutes to young stars such as Lewis Dobbin, Youssef Chermiti, and Lewis Warrington, the latter of whom replaced Gomes last weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Garner, Onana, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won 15 of their last 17 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have won nine of their last ten home matches against Everton in all competitions.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five Premier League games.
- Everton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games.
- Everton have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five Premier League games.
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
Saka has been immense this season, and with his goalscoring prowess, he has become the first English player in a long time to have that many goals in one season for Arsenal. He still has one more task before the season ends and will probably put his best foot forward to give the Gunners the chance to lift the Premier League.
He might also have a few doubters to answer and will have the exclusion from the Player of the Year race going on his mind. Data has revealed he has been the most effective right-winger this season in Europe’s top five leagues and beyond, and he might want to extend that effectiveness for one more time this season with a terrific performance against Everton.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-0 Everton
Arsenal and Everton are two of the best sides to keep clean sheets this term, and it might not be the Toffees’ day at the Emirates on Sunday. Sean Dyche’s men have excelled in this late run-in and will come to north London on the back of a five-game unbeaten run. But the buck might stop here against Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners have everything to play for, and should they have the mildest chance of lifting the Premier League title, then Arteta’s side must win this encounter. Their attackers have been on song and will produce yet another clinical performance to down the Toffees. We predict they will score at least three goals and probably even keep a clean sheet in the process.