Harrison Armstrong has been speaking about Jack Grealish and David Moyes as Everton prepare to return to action against Arsenal on Saturday night
David Moyes and Harrison Armstrong during Everton's defeat to Manchester United
David Moyes and Harrison Armstrong during Everton's defeat to Manchester United(Image: (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))
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Harrison Armstrong has opened up on filling the shoes of Jack Grealish and why he loves learning from David Moyes. Grealish, who joined the Blues on loan from Man City in the summer, suffered a stress fracture in his foot back in January that required an operation.
Prior to his injury, Grealish had scored two goals and provided six assists, but he is unlikely to play for Everton again this season. Although Armstrong's preferred position is central midfield, he has found himself deputising for the injured England international out wide in recent weeks.
And when asked about filling in for Grealish, Armstrong believes the England international is a player from whom he can learn a lot. He said: “Jack is an unbelievable player and just a good person – someone I can learn a lot from.
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“Playing out wide has given me certain lessons to help me for the future, for when I maybe go back into midfield – learning what those players working next to me need.
“Watching Jack, and watching him from afar while I was out on loan was great because he's a really special player.”
On playing out rather than in the middle, the 19-year-old added: “It's part of the sport – if you're not able to adapt and overcome challenges, then you're not in the right game.
“It's always going to be tough, whether you're in the middle or out wide, but I'm just fortunate to be having the opportunities because there aren't many teenagers who are playing in the Premier League consistently and I'm trying to make the most of mine.”
Harrison Armstrong and Thierno Barry before the match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 3, 2026
Harrison Armstrong and Thierno Barry before the match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 3, 2026(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
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Armstrong, who hails from West Derby, became the first Scouser to play in a competitive match at Hill Dickinson Stadium when Moyes brought him on as a last-minute substitute for Grealish in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of August.
And the Blues boss has continued to show faith in the midfielder, even opting to keep him at the club in January after Armstrong was recalled from his loan spell with Preston North End at the start of that month.
“I'm like a sponge around him,” Armstrong said when asked about working under Moyes. “He's worked with some unbelievable players and won big competitions.
“I'm just coming in every day ready to learn from him, as well as the staff and the rest of the lads here.
“The manager has really shown trust in me and he's helping me kick my career on, but I know I've got to repay that in performances on the pitch and hopefully I can continue to do that.”
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Harrison Armstrong of Everton battles for possession with Pau Torres of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton at Villa Park on January 18, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Harrison Armstrong battles for possession with Pau Torres during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton at Villa Park on January 18, 2026
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(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The Blues return to Premier League action against Arsenal this weekend, firmly in the picture for European football next season. And with just nine games to go, Armstrong admits: “We'd be lying if we said we didn't want to push on as a team.
“That's what we want and what the club needs, but as a group we know we just need to take one game at a time.
“There are some really good teams and if you overlook someone, you will get punished, so we're focused on each game and we hope it can take us as high up the table as possible.”
But if Everton are to secure European football next season, then they will need to improve their home form, having only won five league games on home soil so far this season.
“It's a new era for the club," Armstrong said, opening up on playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium. "There's pressure on us to perform there, as there should be.
“It was never going to be an easy thing to move from Goodison because of how iconic it was, but the new stadium is incredible.
“We got a good result against Burnley last time out and I know it's going to be a really special place for us as we look to the future.”