Everton head down to North London this Saturday to take on defending Premier League champions Arsenal having had a home reverse at the hands of Chelsea last weekend.
One could argue that there’s little to no pressure on the Blue given how utterly awful they have been at the Emirates Stadium over the years, and any confidence Toffees might have in their team will have dissipated after David Moyes’ press conference where he seemed to infer that there were squad players carrying injuries but he wouldn’t let on who.
Hosts Arsenal are sitting in second place after suffering just the one reverse against league leaders Manchester City, and have looked imperious at times especially in defence where their five goals conceded is tied for lowest in the league.
Who’s Out?
Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko passed late fitness tests last week to play in the game against Chelsea, but that doesn’t make them locks for this weekend. Summer signing Christian Nørgaard looked woefully unprepared to play despite Moyes’ reassurances that he was ready, and the Scotsman acknowledged that in his pre-match press conference earlier today, saying he had even considered giving him the start but realized the error of his ways.
Arsenal led by Moyes-recruit Mikel Arteta will be without Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Christos Tzolis though Piero Hincapie could be in the mix to play.
Everton squad available vs Arsenal
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Travers, King
Defenders: Branthwaite (TRAINING), Keane, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Mykolenko (TRAINING), Maitland-Niles
Midfielders: Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Garner, Hackney, Nørgaard (TRAINING), Röhl
Wingers: Alcaraz, Dibling, George, Johnson, Grealish.
Strikers: Barry.
Tactics and Formation
Everton will likely stay in the 4-1-4-1 that we’ve seen so far, but how long will David Moyes keep Tyrique George and Hayden Hackney on the bench?
Starting XI
Jordan Pickford
Vitaliy Mykolenko – Moyes will trot him out even if he’s half-fit, just as last week
Jarrad Branthwaite – As he goes Everton’s defence goes, same as last week
James Tarkowski
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
James Garner – Toffees will need him on his game against the Gunners
Harrison Armstrong
Jack Grealish
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Merlin Röhl – Moyes started him last week to play a defensive role
Thierno Barry
Bench
Mark Travers
Michael Keane
Jake O’Brien
Hayden Hackney – Has to be wondering what he needs to do to get playing time
Christian Nørgaard
Brennan Johnson
Tyrique George
Charly Alcaraz
Tyler Dibling
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