Thierry Henry with Everton and Arsenal badge in circular inset
Credit: Imago
Aheed Abrar
Fri 19 December 2025 17:10, UK
Arsenal are under extreme pressure as they look to maintain their lead in the Premier League with a win over Everton on Saturday.
Thierry Henry has told journalists that the Gunners can’t use injuries or the schedule as excuses for not winning the league title this season.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium will surely be up for the Arsenal game on 20 December, with the Toffees looking to bounce back after losing to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
David Moyes could potentially be without some key players against Mikel Arteta’s team, after injuries to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish, which will undoubtedly give the North London outfit an even bigger advantage in Merseyside.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looking annoyed
Credit: Imago
Arsenal squad depth examined ahead of Everton fixture
Arsenal icon Henry is adamant that Arteta must win the Premier League in the current campaign.
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Even if the Gunners are without some of their key stars at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, they have quality players in the squad who can slot right into the starting lineup.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are in form, Bukayo Saka is back, and Mikel Merino has been firing up top in the absence of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 19 December, Henry Winter said: “Thierry’s right. You look at the strength in depth at Arsenal, their substitutes’ bench — Martinelli could start, Trossard’s been terrific, if Saka tires… If these players aren’t playing, there’s Merino, Havertz coming back. There’s no excuses.”
Arsenal are rightly seen as favourites at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and if the Gunners aren’t able to get the three points in L4, questions will likely be asked of them.
Moyes is also struggling with a depleted squad at the Merseyside outfit, so Arteta certainly has no excuse.
David Moyes to put Mikel Arteta to shame
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are off to AFCON, and Moyes will have to find a solution to replace two of his most important players.
Everton could potentially be without four of their best players against Arsenal, but the Scottish manager will have hope after holding Arteta’s team to a draw in their previous meeting at Goodison Park.
Date Result
05/04/2025 1-1 draw
17/09/2023 1-0 loss
04/02/2023 1-0 win
06/12/2021 2-1 win
19/12/2020 2-1 win
Everton’s last five results against Arsenal
The Merseyside outfit have an impressive record at home against the Gunners, winning five and losing three of their previous 10 meetings.
If anyone can put a dent in the North London outfit’s title hopes, it undoubtedly is the Toffees, and fans in L4 could be set to witness a classic.
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