Arsenal make their first trip to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium to take on Everton. The Gunners are looking to reclaim their spot atop the Premier League table, having been temporarily overtaken by Manchester City earlier today. Everton are firmly mid-table, a pleasant improvement for a club that has been lingering around the relegation zone into springtime for a few seasons now.
Hopefully Mikel Arteta will have taken full advantage of the full week of training, a welcome and much-needed break from
the match every three days cadence of December and January. Arsenal were cobbling together lineups and running on fumes. The players were clearly tired and the football was disjointed. I think it’s safe to expect a more cohesive, energetic, and higher-quality performance from the side. And I expect we’ll get one, too. This bunch are resilient.
Everton are tough to pin down. They’re off to their best start to a Premier League season since 2020-21. They’ve managed some quality results but also have gotten their doors blown off. At times, they look like a side that could push for a Conference League spot and at others, they look very much like a side that has battled relegation lately. Jack Grealish has definitely improved their attack, but Everton will be without Iliman Ndiaye on the opposite flank, who is away at AFCON. That’s a big miss for David Moyes’ side. Grealish is a quality player but Ndiaye, to my eye, is more dangerous and important. The Toffees will also be without Idrissa Gueye, who even at 36, provides energy and bite in their midfield. Keep an eye on Thierno Barry up top, who after a slow start to his career at Everton (he was a summer transfer), seems to be hitting his stride and playing better.
Arsenal have not been nearly as proficient from set pieces without Gabriel in the lineup, but they still get good delivery and have guys like Jurrien Timber who are adept at attacking them. Everton have been alright defending them this season (but have struggled in past years) and have allowed the fourth-most headed goals. The Gunners have scored the most headed goals.
The Gunners have not fared well against Everton of late, which is something that needs to change. They’ve only scored four goals in their last seven trips to the blue side of the Mersey and have won just one of those games, drawn three, lost four. If Arsenal want to go on and win the Premier League, they’ve got to improve their fortunes against lower mid-table clubs like the Toffees. That starts with today’s match, an opportunity to improve on the equivalent fixture from last season.
Arsenal will be without the usual suspects. Gabriel and Kai Havertz are both progressing towards a return. The Brazilian may be targeting the Aston Villa match at the end of the month. It seems like the German will return sometime in early January. Ben White will miss a few weeks with the hamstring issue he suffered against Wolves. Max Dowman is out until February with an ankle injury. Martin Zubimendi, who was absent from training at times this week, is fine — it was load management and extra rest for the midfielder.
Everton will be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, which is a big miss for them. He’s been playing quite well and involved on most of their successful attacking moves. Defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman are both out with hamstring injuries. Loaned-in midfielder Merlin Rohl will be available off the bench after missing time. Jack Grealish, who was carrying a knock, starts.
Arsenal – Raya, Calafiori, Hincapie, Saliba, Timber, Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres
Everton – Pickford, Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Iroegbunam, Garner, Grealish, McNeil, Barry
WHO: Arsenal at Everton
WHAT: Premier League match day 17
WHEN: Saturday, December 20th, 3:00pm EST/12:00pm PST/8:00pm GMT
WHERE: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Peacock app
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