Everton are taking on Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League and are looking to cause a major upset.
Sean Dyche’s side were not in action last weekend, as Storm Darragh saw Liverpool vs Everton get postponed over concerns for the safety of travelling supporters.
So the Everton squad got the weekend off, and it was a chance to replenish.
It’s Arsenal up next for the Toffees in the Premier League and potentially it could be a very difficult afternoon. The Gunners have found form again in recent weeks and are looking to chase down Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
Everton fans are not expecting too much, and Paul Merson has pointed to one thing in particular that really puts the Toffees up against it.
Paul Merson makes ‘nightmare’ claim for Everton ahead of Arsenal clash
Sean Dyche, Manager of Everton, and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gives their team instructions during the Premier League match between Everton...
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Everton may have had the chance to rest up last weekend with the Merseyside Derby getting postponed.
But Merson doesn’t actually see that as something that benefits Everton going into this game with Arsenal. In fact, he thinks it’s a ‘nightmare’ that Everton couldn’t play against their rivals.
Predicting a 3-1 win for Arsenal on Saturday, Merson told Sportskeeda: “Everton had an unbelievable result in their last game against Wolves, but be shocked if they got anything from this game. When I look back to that Everton loss against Manchester United before the win over Wolves, I worry for them. If they defend like that against Arsenal, it’s game over.
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“If you’re Everton, you’d be thinking of getting this fixture out of the way quickly and focusing on the next one. But it doesn’t get any easier for them with games against Chelsea and Manchester City to follow. I don’t really expect them to get anything from the next three games if I’m being honest.
“Everton players getting an extra week off due to the Merseyside derby being postponed will not matter against Arsenal in my opinion. In fact, I think it’s a nightmare for them that the derby did not go ahead as planned. Liverpool were coming off the back of a draw, a bit jaded and had Mac Allister suspended. The conditions were also going to be tricky due to the storm so Everton may have sensed an outside chance of getting something from it.”
Merson recently predicted that Wolves would beat Everton and we all saw what happened at Goodison Park. Toffees fans would love to see Merson left red-face again, especially with his former club involved this time.
How have Everton done against Arsenal recently?
There’s no doubt about it, this will be one of the hardest games Everton will play all season.
Going to the Emirates is always tough but the Gunners have hit form heading into the Christmas period and will feel optimistic they can get to within three points of Liverpool, who face a tricky game against Fulham.
Recent meetings with Arsenal haven’t really gone well for Everton.
Everton and Arsenal all-time head-to-head
Everton wins – 65
Draws – 46
Arsenal wins – 112
via 11v11
The Toffees have lost each of the last three games against the Gunners, conceding seven goals and scoring just one. Everton’s last win over Arsenal came in the 2022/23 season when Everton won 1-0 at home when James Tarkowski scored the game’s only goal.
Everton scored four goals last time out against Wolves but it’ll be much trickier against Arsenal.
Fans will hope to see Armando Broja, although Dyche cast doubt on his potential to start against Arsenal so Dominic Calvert-Lewin will surely start once more.
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