A struggling Everton side host league-leaders Arsenal this weekend as the Premier League resumes ahead of an intriguing run of fixtures over the coming weeks. With newly appointed manager Sean Dyche set to take charge of his first game as Everton head coach on Saturday, the Toffees will be keen on moving up the league table whilst the visitors will look to maintain their impressive form as they remain keen on extending their lead at the top of the table moving forward into the campaign.
Level on points with last-placed Southampton, Everton will be keen on a positive result this weekend as they look to move out of the relegation zone over the coming weeks. Having taken only a point from their last five league outings, the Toffees will be looking to redeem themselves under Dyche, although much remains to be desired from the team’s performances on the pitch in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, having strengthened their squad in a bid to sustain their title charge, Arsenal will be keen on remaining ruthless and consistent in their application on the pitch over the coming fixtures. Having, arguably, been the most impressive side in the league this season, Mikel Arteta will be keen on securing nothing but three points this weekend as the Gunner aim to move eight points clear at the top of the table.
When & Where?
Venue: Goodison Park.
Date: Saturday, 4th February 2023.
Time: 12:30 GMT.
Match Officials
Referee: Andre Marriner.
Assistant Referees: Simon Long, Scott Ledger.
Fourth Official: Josh Smith.
VAR Official: Tony Harrington.
Team News
Everton
Andros Townsend, Michael Keane and Nathan Patterson remain unavailable for the tie due to injuries while the availability of both James Garner and Ben Godfrey remains uncertain. Dyche will be reunited with centre-back James Tarkowski and midfielder Dwight McNeil while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to lead the line on Saturday.
Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus and Mohamed Elneny remain out of contention due to injury with the latter unlikely to recover in time for the remainder of the campaign. New signing Jorginho is expected to be named on the bench against Everton, although Thomas Partey’s potential rib injury could see the Italian pressed into action on Saturday. Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe’s availability remains uncertain with the Gunners aiming to build on their impressive results moving forward.
Match Analysis
With the hosts needing to secure a positive result this weekend, Saturday’s fixture is expected to provide for a compelling match-up at Goodison Park. The Toffees’ newly appointed manager is likely to aim for salvaging, at least, a point this weekend whilst the visitors will be keen on dominating possession in a bid to secure three comfortable points on Saturday.
Expected to remain defensively solid whilst aiming to make the best of their goal-scoring opportunities, Everton will be keen on remaining non-complacent in their application on the pitch this weekend. Having struggled to find the back of the net this season, the hosts will be keen on improving their goal-scoring statistics whilst remaining keen on conceding early in the game against Arsenal. With their best opportunities likely to emerge in the form of set-pieces and counter-attacks, the hosts will be needing to make the best of the same this weekend.
On the other hand, likely to dominate possession and the majority of the ninety minutes, Arsenal will be keen on continuing to improve on their displays moving forward. Expected to remain solid in defence, the Gunners will be keen on an early breakthrough in a bid to pin the pressure back on the opposition whilst also emerging as the imposing side at Goodison Park. With the manager likely to deploy a full-strength squad at the weekend, the visitors will look to avoid a hiccup against Everton.
Key Players
Amadou Onana – Everton
With Everton needing to remain competitive across the midfield, Onana will be keen on delivering a notable display this weekend. Boasting impressive strength and box-to-box attributes, the midfielder’s contribution is expected to prove vital to the home side’s prospects of securing a positive result on Saturday.
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Key to Arsenal’s hopes of clinching the title at the end of the season, Saka will be needing to maintain his impressive standard of performance over the coming weeks. Having been amongst the Gunners’ most consistent players this season, the forward will be keen on finding the back of the net this Saturday as he looks to improve his tally of goal contributions moving forward.
Predicted XI
Everton predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Jordan Pickford; Seamus Coleman, James Tarkowski, Conor Coady, Vitaly Mykolenko; Alex Iwobi, Idrissa Gueye, Amadou Onana, Dwight McNeil; Demarai Gray, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton: Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli; Eddie Nketiah.
