EPL Match Preview Round 5 (2023/24): Everton Vs Arsenal
Written by Albert Echatah
This season, Arsenal will make the dreaded trip to Goodison Park early as they take on Everton in the Premier League on Sunday. The Gunners hope to make up for their recent errors on Merseyside.
The Toffees earned their first point of the year in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United prior to the international break, while Mikel Arteta’s team defeated Manchester United in a stunning 3-1 victory.
Everton
Dyche, who is under pressure but remains upbeat, believes that a group of previously injured players, which may include any or all of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane, Dwight McNeil (after making an appearance as a substitute against Sheff United.
While recent efforts have been disappointing, Dyche’s first game in command of the team saw them snap a seven-game losing streak (D1, L6) with a 1-0 home triumph over Arsenal in the Premier League!
Form
Unsurprisingly, Sean Dyche’s club is still below the goal line in 18th place, just above Burnley and the bottom team Luton Town, and their two goals are also the worst offensive total in the league alongside the Hatters.
The hosts, who are now owned by 777 Partners, did receive a small morale boost from their 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers, but they welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park having dropped five of their previous six home games. If they hope to prolong the Gunners’ misery on Merseyside, they will need history on their side.
Player’s to watch
Perhaps it could be 13th time lucky for Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré, who found the net against Sheffield United but has never done so against Arsenal in 12 attempts.
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Arsenal
Few other teams have given Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, as much trouble as Everton. His win-draw percentage versus Everton in all competitions (W3, L4) is the second-worst of any club he has ever faced, trailing only his eight defeats in ten games against Manchester City.
However, the unbeaten Gunners are in fantastic shape to rectify that with €116 million player Declan Rice on the scoresheet against Manchester United.
Form
With 10 points from their first four games, Arteta’s team is in fifth place due to teams like Liverpool, West Ham United, and Tottenham Hotspur having better goal differentials than them. Tottenham Hotspur will host Arsenal in the North London derby the following weekend after Arsenal hosts PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
Despite once being one of the league’s best away sides, Arsenal has only won twice in their past six Premier League away games and has had trouble breaking the Goodison hoodoo in recent years.
Player’s to watch
In addition to his two goals this PL season, Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard has also scored in three of his last four meetings with Everton.
Team News
Prior to the break, Everton’s medical staff had to work extra hours, and the Toffees lost James Tarkowski to a facial injury near the end of their game against Sheffield United. The likes of Dele Alli (groin), Jack Harrison (hip), or Seamus Coleman (knee) are also injured.
As for Arsenal, they’ll be without the services of Thomas Partey (groin), Jurrien Timber (ACL), and Mohamed Elneny (knee) out of the lineup following the international break, Arsenal is fortunate to have a very short injury list. However, the former is now back in training.
Head-To-Head
Arsenal have recorded more league victories against Everton than against any other club, having beaten them 100 times out of 202 attempts and becoming the first team in English history to attain a century of wins against another club.
Hot stat
Everton’s 1-0 win at home to Arsenal last season was their only victory of the 2022/23 PL against the ‘big six’ clubs (D4, L7).
Possible Lineup
Everton: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Onana, Gueye; Garner, Doucoure, Danjuma; Beto
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Verdict
Whatever the case may be, Arsenal seem to be cursed at Goodison Park when they step foot on the field, although it is tough to imagine another Merseyside defeat for the men in red given Everton’s chronic injury and offensive troubles. Everton 0-2 Arsenal
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