Premier League: A Trip to Arsenal Spells Trouble for the Toffees

Arsenal vs Everton

After an unexpected week off Sean Dyche’s Everton are back in Premier League action on Saturday, and it could hardly be a tougher test than a jaunt to Arsenal to take on Mikel Arteta’s title chasers.

Everton’s planned Merseyside derby last week was postponed due to high winds, and there has been plenty of turbulence on and off the pitch for the Toffees. Talks of an imminent takeover have intensified this week and Everton’s last match, a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, was a first victory in six and the first game in five with an Everton goal.  

Last week, Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw away to Fulham and they followed that up with an impressive Champions League win over AS Monaco on Wednesday night, and I’m backing them to beat the Toffees on Saturday.  

 

Talking Points

Injuries in defence have stretched Arsenal’s squad

The Gunners have been playing some superb football again this season, and Arteta will be desperate to see his players get some reward in terms of silverware. On Wednesday, Arsenal had a Champions League date with AS Monaco, and they put on another attacking show as Bukayo Saka scored a brace and Kai Havertz added a late third. The return of skipper Martin Odegaard has made the creative unit an irresistible force, and Everton will have one hack of a challenge to withstand the red wave heading their way on Saturday.

While Arteta has riches at his disposal in the attacking half, the Gunners may be in the market for a striker in January, but his major concerns right now are at the other end of the pitch. Central defender Gabriel has struck up a superb partnership with William Saliba this season, but he has missed the recent games against Manchester United and Fulham after picking up an injury against Sporting Lisbon, and he joined Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the treatment room. Jurrien Timber has recovered from a knock to aid Saliba, who has been holding the defence together. Jakub Kiwior did a fine job deputising for Gabriel against Monaco, while young left-back Miles Lewis-Skelly received a standing ovation for his European debut.

The latest Premier League 2024 betting odds make the Gunners the second favourites to win the title at a price of 4.00 with Liverpool odds on at 1.64. And if they are to make a charge, Arteta must be able to use his whole squad.

 

Everton takeover getting closer

Well, that’s what the long-suffering Toffees fans are hoping after they have watched the soap opera unfold at Goodison Park over the past couple of years. Everton have been perennial relegation strugglers in recent seasons and had a small points deduction for breach of financial fair play.

After Dyche did a superb job in steadying the Everton ship last term the club’s Premier League 2024 results have not been as good as hoped but, and it’s a big but, if the Friedkin Group can complete their takeover soon, then a light may be at the end of the tunnel. The Texan billionaires are apparently close to completing their purchase of a 94.1-per cent stake of the club, and it can’t come quickly enough for Everton supporters, who are desperate to see some investment in the playing staff, but this time within profit and sustainability rules.  

Winger Dwight McNeil, with three goals and three assists, is by far the most productive player in Everton’s attacking unit since the departure of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle, and that’s an area Dyche will be keen to strengthen in the January transfer window. The Toffees have been tracking Lyon’s 21-year-old winger Ernest Nuamah, and there could be a deal to do there as the Ligue 1 club is in their own financial turmoil and might face relegation to Ligue 2. Everton have also identified Fenerbahce’s winger Ogus Aydin, as the 22-year-old is an exciting prospect and one Dyche would be delighted to recruit.

In the meantime, the manager must work with what he has. At SBOTOP odds of 1.23 to win the Gunners are hot favourites to take Everton to the cleaners. But if anyone can set a side up to frustrate, it’s Sean Dyche.    

 

History

With 42 wins to 12, the Gunners have bossed this relationship in the Premier League era, and Arteta’s team did the double over the Toffees last season with a 1-0 win at Goodison Park and then a 2-1 victory at the Emirates on the final day of last season.

Recent form is a worrying read for Everton fans too, as their team has won one, drawn three, and lost two of the last six games, while Arsenal have won five and drawn two.    

 

Betting Tip

Everton are at 3.56 to win or draw and, as a Burnley fan, I’m a huge admirer of Dyche. But I fear this challenge will be far to steep for his team no matter how he sets them up, and I think Arsenal to win 3-0, at odds of 6.66, will be pretty close to the mark.

   

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