Arsenal face a big test away from home as they travel to the newly-built Hill-Dickinson Stadium to take on Mikel Arteta’s former club, Everton.
Everton could certainly give their fans a bit of festive cheer this weekend if they can manage a win over league leaders Arsenal. The Toffees are only two points outside of the top five, and if things go their way, they could climb up the standings this weekend.
Their current form also showcases that they are on a good patch to break into one of the European places at the very least this season. The Merseyside outfit have four wins and two losses in their last six games, with one of those two defeats coming last weekend and the other being a defeat to Newcastle United on home soil.
The Hill-Dickinson Stadium has been a good venue for Everton so far, but they do face a real test of character when they take on Arsenal here. David Moyes personally does not have a great record against the Gunners, but the Toffees have lost only one of their last seven home games to the North Londoners, which includes a draw in this fixture last season, too.
Meanwhile, Arsenal maintained their two-point advantage at the top of the Premier League standings despite a nervy finish against Wolves. It took a thumping corner from Bukayo Saka midway through the second half to force an own goal from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, as it also took nearly that amount of time for the hosts to get their first shot on target.
There was a massive expectation to thump an otherwise hapless Wolves side, especially at the Emirates, but Arsenal were timid for most parts. Moreover, they conceded a late equaliser through Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare, which left North London silent. The silence only lasted for a few minutes, as Bukayo Saka, via Gabriel Jesus, forced another own goal this time through Yerson Mosquera to collect three points.
The performance came in for plenty of criticism, and Mikel Arteta had some harsh words for the team’s defence. Given there’s been a week to prepare for the upcoming trip to Everton, the Arsenal boss will want his team fit and firing on all cylinders, as he will want a concerted run of wins from here on as Manchester City continue to chase down Arsenal in the title race.
Team News & Tactics
Everton
The defeat to Chelsea last weekend saw Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall limp off with a hamstring issue, and David Moyes has confirmed the midfielder will play no part against Arsenal. However, there is good news on Jack Grealish as the Everton boss confirmed the on-loan star will play at the weekend despite a hamstring scare.
Merlin Rohl has also trained as per Moyes, meaning he could be called into the matchday squad. However, there will be no place for defensive duo Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman, who remain sidelined for the time being.
Everton have also lost key starters Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye to AFCON, with the duo set to represent Senegal in the competition. Hence, there could be a start for young winger Tyler Dibling in place of Ndiaye on the right-hand side, while Tim Iroegbunam could replace Gueye and partner up with James Garner in the middle of the park.
Jake O’Brien will be selected in the right-back slot, while Michael Keane and James Tarkowski will be preferred centrally, and Vitaliy Mykolenko keeps his spot at left-back. Thierno Barry will continue to lead the line for Everton against Arsenal, with Carlos Alcaraz and Grealish completing the attacking setup.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish; Barry
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will have to make do without influential defender Gabriel Magalhaes for another few weeks as the Brazilian continues his rehabilitation from an injury sustained a few weeks ago while on international duty with Brazil. The same goes for Kai Havertz, who continued to progress in his recovery after a recent setback following a knee procedure.
Ben White was the latest casualty for Arsenal, with the defender suffering a hamstring issue and will be out for a few weeks. Hence, the Gunners are thin at the back, although they welcome key man William Saliba back in action. With Riccardo Calafiori returning from a suspension, Arsenal are expected to name Jurrien Timber at right-back, while Piero Hincapie will partner Saliba centrally against Everton.
There are no further problems expected in the squad from last weekend, and Arteta could ring in a few changes to his attacking setup. Leandro Trossard could come in for Gabriel Martinelli, while Eberechi Eze might start from the bench for this one.
Bukayo Saka is widely expected to start this one on the right wing, while Viktor Gyokeres will continue to lead the line, with Gabriel Jesus a firm option off the bench. Overall, Arsenal will have a strong bench if needed in the game, although they are currently lacking the defensive depth beyond Myles Lewis-Skelly and makeshift defender Christian Norgaard; however, teenage star Marli Salmon might be part of the squad against Everton.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Gyokeres
Key Stats
- Everton have lost just one of their last seven games at home against Arsenal.
- Everton have won four and lost two of their last six Premier League games.
- Arsenal are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal are undefeated in their last five matches against Everton in all competitions.
- Leandro Trossard has scored both of Arsenal’s away goals against Everton in the last two Premier League seasons. The last Gunners player to score in three consecutive visits to the Toffees was Ian Wright between August 1995 and September 1997.
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
The Swede will be up for another stern test in the Premier League, as Arsenal face a defensively resolute Everton side. There has been plenty of criticism directed towards Gyokeres for his lack of output, but he does give the Gunners a big presence in the attacking third.
Occupying defenders and creating space for the wide men have been the main attributes of Gyokeres so far, and it has worked out for Arsenal. However, many are eager to see the lethal side of the Swedish striker on the frontline, and a goal at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium will do a lot of good to the striker’s confidence heading into a crucial period of the season.
Prediction
Everton 1-2 Arsenal
Everton are in a decent run of form, and they can certainly rely on their home form against Arsenal in recent seasons. However, there is a different challenge ahead of Saturday, especially with Moyes missing a few of his key starters, as well as having doubts on the likes of Grealish with his fitness. Those factors could have an effect, as they face a Gunners side eager to register a win here.
Arsenal must win their games, especially these tricky away trips against a team like Everton. There are some questions over their form on the road of late, but they have the quality of players to get the job done; the changes at the back could see them concede an odd goal.