Everton will finish the week by taking on second-placed Arsenal at Goodison Park, with Mikel Arteta eager for a win before the big midweek clash.
Everton battled hard at Anfield in the latest edition of the Merseyside Derby but came out with nothing in the end as they get set to take on Arsenal this weekend. A second-half Diogo Jota strike proved enough for Liverpool to secure all three points, although the Toffees did come close on their own on a couple of occasions with striker Beto.
Everton did make life a bit nervy in the end for Liverpool, although Arne Slot’s men were able to keep hold and collect the points. While the win allowed the Reds to keep a healthy 12-point gap at the top over Arsenal, Everton have one foot in the door when it comes to survival. Relegation is no longer a subject of worry for Everton, as they sit in 15th, 14 points clear of the nearest bottom-three side Ipswich Town.
Meanwhile, Arsenal visit Goodison Park to take on Everton in the hope of securing their third consecutive win in the Premier League after victories over Chelsea and Fulham on either side of the international break. The Gunners breezed past the Cottagers earlier this week, with goals from Mikel Merino and the returning Bukayo Saka proving enough to secure the points.
A late Rodrigo Muniz strike did make things a bit nervous for the Emirates crowd, but overall the Gunners were in total control of proceedings. The game was bittersweet in a lot of sense as the main focus was to be sharp and prepared for the upcoming Real Madrid ties. While Saka’s return did bring joy inside the Emirates, there was utter disappointment due to Gabriel Magalhaes’s injury.
For Mikel Arteta, this reunion with his former Everton boss and club will be a testing game more along the lines of helping Arsenal find the best form possible before the Real Madrid clash. The Spanish tactician will hope to see his squad come out unscathed at the weekend to have the best chance next week in the Champions League.
Team News & Tactics
Everton
David Moyes is expected to name an unchanged lineup for the clash against Arsenal, as the Everton manager continues to ease some of his stars back into shape. For instance, Iliman Ndiaye made his return from an injury that had kept him out for a long period, as he came through unscathed in the cameo against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, there are no fresh injuries to report although there is no respite from some injuries that already persist at the club. For instance, Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Dwight McNeil are unlikely to be fit for the Arsenal clash. So, James Garner and Jack Harrison play a part, while Ndiaye will once again stay as a bench option.
Everton’s strong core remains in the defence, as Moyes will hope to replicate predecessor Sean Dyche’s performance against Arsenal a the Emirates, where they shut the door on the Gunners to keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw.
Moyes does have the tools to replicate that performance with the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski stationed in the heart of the defence. The latter was lucky to stay on the pitch against Liverpool following a controversial tackle on Alexis Mac Allister. Beto will continue to lead the line for Everton and hope to have some luck in what could be a depleted Arsenal backline.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Alcarez; Beto
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka’s return did provide some joy at the Emirates, although the mood was dampened following the season-ending injury to Gabriel. The Brazilian defender pulled up within the first 15 minutes against Fulham, and his injury would require surgery, thus ruling him out for the remainder of the season. More crucially, he will miss the Real Madrid ties.
Jakub Kiwior came in to replace the Brazilian and should be expected to keep his place against Everton. There were further problems in the game as Jurrien Timber, despite suffering a knee problem earlier in the game, managed to continue well into the second half before going off. The Dutchman’s problem is not expected to hinder Arsenal’s preparations for the game against Real Madrid as it is only reported to be a knock.
Meanwhile, Ben White was not selected for the Fulham clash, with Mikel Arteta describing the issue as a minor niggle, which could keep him in contention. All eyes will be on Riccardo Calafiori and whether he makes it to the Real Madrid clash next week, although the Italian will miss the Everton game.
Should Ben White and Timber remain on the sidelines, Thomas Partey likely start at right-back, while Jorginho will start in central midfield. For now, Arteta might side with caution around Saka as the manager might use him again as a bench option. So, Ethan Nwaneri might get another start on the right wing, while Mikel Merino and the impressive Gabriel Martinelli complete the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Everton ended a nine-game unbeaten run following their loss to Liverpool.
- Everton have won three of their last four home games against Arsenal in the Premier League.
- Arsenal are undefeated in 19 of their last 20 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal are undefeated in their last ten games on the road in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Jakub Kiwior
Analysing the injury issues at Arsenal at the current moment, there is a huge chance that Kiwior will start against Everton and then at least the first leg of the Real Madrid clash. The issue with the Polish defender is his lack of game time, which reflects on his performances on the pitch whenever called upon.
Gabriel Magalhaes has been relatively fit for most parts since Kiwior came in and barely gets a chance to play at the heart of the defence, as most of his minutes at Arsenal have been at left-back. In any case, the Everton game will be crucial for the Pole to showcase his ability alongside William Saliba, and Mikel Arteta and the fans will need him sharp for the Real Madrid clash next week.
Prediction
Everton 1-2 Arsenal
The Toffees are one of the most defensively resilient sides in the Premier League under David Moyes, and that continued to show against Liverpool despite their narrow loss. Everton also have a good few results at Goodison Park against Arsenal, as the manager will want to add another on Saturday.
Arsenal, on the other hand, did show they can break a low block against Fulham, and that might continue to improve as they face Everton. Bukayo Saka’s return gives them more in the attacking third, as the England international can make a key impact either from the start or off the bench. The Gunners are expected to take a narrow win on their final visit to Goodison Park, as they gear up for the big game next week.
