David Moyes currently being my least hated opposition manager puts me in the difficult position of saying I don’t really wish Everton a terrible outcome in Saturday afternoon’s contest against Arsenal at the Emirates. I just hope his side loses, and the mighty Gunners walk off the pitch with all three points secured.
Everton
Last Saturday, the Toffees hosted Chelsea and their 0-2 loss dropped them to 5th place in the table with 10 points. That’s still not at all a bad position for Everton to find themselves, considering that they were flirting with relegation in recent memory, and that West Ham, the side that Moyes managed most recently before returning to the Toffees for his second stint in charge, were indeed relegated last season not too long after the departure of Moyes, who, in my opinion at least, had done an excellent job there.
Knowing Moyes, against Arsenal we are likely to see his side turn out in a defensive line-up and frame of mind. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Everton set up in their usual 4-2-3-1, but to turn it into a 5-4-1 out of possession. Moyes is likely to employ a back three to maximize his side’s capabilities of blunting the Arsenal attack. The Scot could use his wide centre-backs to press into Arsenal’s triangles out wide, while also trying to keep tight in the middle, hoping to achieve just that aim. A possible possible starting XI for Toffees could be:
Pickford, Rohl, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Armstrong, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry.
On Everton’s right side Rohl could keep his place as he’s able to drop into a right-back role, allowing O’Brien to tuck in more centrally at times. Despite not playing much recently O’Brien would also help from set-pieces, but Everton are likely to be defending for large portions of the game.
If both those players are in the lineup it could mean that Aynsley Maitland-Niles misses out on his return to the Emirates. In the four Premier League games AMN has started for Everton at right back, he has yet to end the game on the pitch. It’s plain enough that Moyes isn’t 100% sold on the former Arsenal man, but Everton’s disappointing summer transfer window has left them without a clearly preferable option.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s left-hand side is generally considered to be weaker, especially with Tzolis out injured. Eze started on the left last week at Forest, before Madueke came off the bench to score. But Bukayo Saka suffered an injury in midweek Champions League play putting him out for several weeks at the very least, meaning that Madueke is likely to start in Saka’s normal place on the right.
My source for the seriousness of Saka’s injury of course being Trev in the last drinks:
“Instant sharp pain in a muscle is not a good sign and the quads are clearly integral to absolutely everything a footballer does. I’m guessing from Saka’s reaction it has to be a grade 2 tear – in which case forget all about 3-4 weeks. At least this break might give his other ongoing issues a chance to repair. My personal instinctive fear is that Saka might be a nice Christmas present for us but we may not see him until early January.”
In other words, the rest of our attack needs to step up big time, starting with Madueke and Eberechi Eze who replaced Saka in Munich and made an instant impact by scoring to put Arsenal ahead. Max Dowman is another option, of course, to play on the right side of attack, remembering that Max scored his first Arsenal goal in our 2-0 win against the Toffees in this same fixture last season, but it is not likely that Arteta will put him too brightly in the headlights just yet.
On his options for replacing Saka, Arteta said:
“They’re all important; we know that. I’m extremely happy with how Ebz reacted to the previous game and the impact that he had on the team and the performance that he put in.”
But whether Eze, Madueke or Dowman starts this game in Saka’s place is hard to predict. Madueke does have the most experience deputising there, however, so my prediction for Arsenal’s starting XI in this game is:
Raya
White Konsa Gabriel Calafiori
Ødegaard Bruno Rice
Madueke Havertz Eze
The Holic Pound
I am tipping Eze to score in his second straight game and for David Raya and pals to keep a clean sheet giving us the happy scoreline of Arsenal 2-Everton 0.
Enjoy the watch wherever you may be this Saturday, and may your day be a happy one.
Thanks for your preview Bt8
Your suggested team is very sensible and I think close to the one we will field
I need to see more from Havertz and think Viktor might start . Max could come on from the bench and Zubi may tighten tye midfield if we do get a lead although MLS has done exceptionally well there . I’d be delighted with 2-0 especially if the scorers are the same as last season
Good stuff, bt8. I think you’ve picked the team Arteta will pick, and almost the one Moyes will start with, AMN for O’Brien being the only change.
Everton has been a tough opponent to beat in recent seasons. Last term’s 2-0 home win was the first game that was not either a draw or decided by a single goal since the 2022-23 season. A 2-0 win on Saturday and another three points would be a satisfactory day’s work, but probably not an easy watch — again.
Cheers bt8. It somehow feels bizarre that Moyes is still/again Everton manager, but that’s a welcome and comforting thought somehow.
I’ll take your scoreline too.
Early start here due to Eurostar fuck-ups I’m not pleased with, although perhaps the big question will be about going home tonight.
Thanks bt8 for a very enjoyable preview!
And thank you 21CG for an atmospheric report of the Bayern match! Great to hear how the traveling contingent enjoyed the occasion.
David Moyes and Everton are alright, but when we are playing them I feel no reason to not wallop them if we can. 🙂 There have been a few big scoreline in this match in our favor (Denilson long ranger!!) and won’t mind another one this Saturday.
Your team looks fine, but agree with TTG that a few fresh players will be a good idea. My startling line-up:
Raya
White-Konsa-Gabriel-MLS
Ødegaard-Zubimendi-Rice
Madueke-Gyökeres-Eze
Our bench suddenly looks a bit thin on attack. We should see Max get some minutes in this one.
(We should bring Ethan back from Dortmund in the January window.)
Why not a comfortable 3-0 at home?
Come on Arsenal!
Thanks bt8
I don’t mind Moyes or Everton so I’d be happy to stop at the Doc’s 3-0 and give some underutilised players some decent minutes.
Come on Villa.
UTA