It was a storm on the pitch last time out against Wolves and a storm off it that led to the postponement of the Merseyside Derby. Calmer skies overhead and new horizons dawning will see Everton travel to Arsenal this weekend, as the toffees’ pending takeover draws closer.
So was last weekend’s postponement a blessing or a curse? Well, Sean Dyche took the opportunity to feature 5 first-team players in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the week. With Coleman, O’Brien, Patterson, Broja and Chermitti all getting minutes. Elsewhere, some first team players got some rest days. Jordan Pickford was in Lapland and I’m just hoping he used his Christmas wish with the Big Man wisely…
This weekend will be the first time that Arsenal and Everton have faced-off since the tragic passing of club hero Kevin Campbell. With a billboard already in place close to The Emirates, here’s hoping that regardless of the score and performance tomorrow both sets of fans can take time to celebrate the life of one of football’s genuine good guys.
If You Know Your History… Everton v Arsenal Through the Years
Dating back to 1905, there are no shortage of previous meetings between the two sides. Everton have managed 65 wins over this weekend’s opponents. The Gunners have the form in this fixture though, with 112 wins over the Toffees. The 2 sides have also played out 46 draws.
In more recent times, draws have not featured heavily in this fixture. You have to go back to 2019 to find the last time the 2 teams shared the points. In a game that saw Carlo Ancelloti in the stands, freshly announced as the incoming Everton manager. Interim managers Duncan Ferguson and Freddie Ljungberg played out a 0-0 draw. Only 4 players from that matchday squad remain for Everton in 2024 (Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin).
The last 3 meetings between these 2 teams have ended in wins for Saturday’s hosts. 2-1, 1-0 and 4-0 defeats have shown that Arteta’s Arsenal have proven tough opposition for Dyche’s Toffees. However, it was Arsenal that the current Everton manager faced in his first game in charge of the Blues. A 1-0 win at Goodison, with James Tarkowski on the score sheet. There are a good few hundred thousand Toffees that would give up their Christmas turkey (and even the pigs in blankets) for a repeat of that performance tomorrow.
Team News
On the injury front, Sean Dyche seems to have less to worry about heading into a busy run of fixtures. With only Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner unavailable for the trip to Arsenal. Youssef Chermiti is unlikely to feature but Armando Broja, Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson could all feature after building up match fitness in midweek.
Defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out of this weekend’s game with longer term injuries. However, Gabriel, Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori could all return for Arsenal.
What the Manager Says
Dyche on Everton’s upcoming fixtures- “Tough runs can come out of nowhere but as a team we are looking for ways to try and make it work and to win games.” Dyche also stressed that his side need to “learn to relish all parts of the Premier League”
Everton Key Player
Armando Broja – Okay, I watched him for less than 20-minutes against Wolves last week and I’ve convinced myself that he is the reincarnation of Prime-Everton Lukaku. Joking aside, how refreshingly composed, confident and attacking did the Albanian look during his brief cameo? He held the ball up well, created a number of chances and played with a belief that has appeared lacking from DCL and Beto at times this season. Of course, flagging him as our ‘Key Player’ will be incredibly short-lived given that I am not sure Sean Dyche will start him tomorrow. But it’s worth stating that I think he should. Neither of the options we’ve played up-top this season are bursting with goals to their names. Whilst you might argue this is down to the manager and his style of play, I’d argue that in this case you need a striker who will create chances for himself and those around him. Broja did that for me against Wolves and although it will be harder against a strong Arsenal side, why not roll the dice and see?
One to Watch for Arsenal:
Kai Havertz– Alongside Bakayo Saka, the German International has been ever present for Arteta’s side in the Premier League this season. Both men have scored 5 goals but for me Havertz goes more under the radar and is worth flagging today. For both club and country the 25-year old has had to play out of position and lead the line for much of the last 12-months. Whilst he is not a natural striker, the former Champions League winner has slowly adapted into a role where now he feels deadly at times. 8 goals in his 20 appearances in all competitions this season, the Everton defenders will have to show great levels of organisation on Saturday if they are to keep both Havertz and Saka quiet.
Final Thoughts
A very weird feeling heading into this weekend’s fixture. Before the Wolves game I really felt that we would be sat here now in the relegation zone with more heavy defeats to come. The huge win against Wolves and the respite last weekend means we are only 5 points off Manchester United, with a game in hand. You really do not know what to expect from this Everton side. I have been too optimistic and forgiving at times this season only to see it blow up in my face. I’ve also been very pessimistic and been pleasantly surprised. Dyche’s men have not been awful on the road this season. Grinding out draws and frustrating opponents. To a man, we have to be at our very best tomorrow to achieve even that. Is there anything in Arsenal playing in midweek and Everton having over a week to recover and prepare?
Prediction
2-1. In answer to the previous question, probably not. I am going with a narrow Arsenal win. The Gunners know every league game is a must-win if they have any hope of catching runaway leaders Liverpool. It certainly won’t be City’s year this year but Arteta will go grey if it also isn’t Arsenal’s. With the run of fixtures Everton have coming up, it will be a case of give it your best and then dust ourselves off and go again in the next one.
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