The midfielder was a surprise absence from the squad for the Premier League clash against Arsenal
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 1: Dwight McNeil of Everton looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 1, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Dwight McNeil has suffered a knee injury(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Dwight McNeil has missed out on Everton’s game at Arsenal. The midfielder is absent with a knee injury that flared in midweek. The hope at the club is that it will settle down quickly.
It is unclear whether the issue is an aggravation of the knee injury that saw him miss a couple of games earlier this season.
His unavailability is a significant loss to an Everton side that has struggled for goals this season. McNeil has been the club’s most effective weapon from open play - goals against Aston Villa and two against Crystal Palace helping him to top the side’s Premier League scoring charts. He has also been chief among the chance creators in the side.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Everton LIVE - McNeil injury, team news, kick-off time, TV channel, score and stream
"Unfortunately, he's been carrying a bit of a knee [injury]. It's nothing too serious, we don't think, but it's sort of flared up so he hasn't made this one," said Sean Dyche. We hope for better news next week."
Most pivotal for the Everton boss will be the loss of his set-piece expertise. Everton broke a long goal drought with the 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of the month. All four goals came from set-pieces.
The Blues’ last win over Arsenal came in Dyche’s first game, when a trademark move saw McNeil swing a corner into the back post where it was met by the head of James Tarkowski.
Michael Keane returned to the matchday squad at the Emirates after his own injury issue, making the bench. There was no spot for Youssef Chermiti, however, as he continues to recover from a foot injury that has ruled him out since pre-season.