Everton have been praised by Martin Odegaard ahead of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and the Toffees on Saturday evening.
David Moyes takes on his former player Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal looking to maintain a seven-point lead at the top while Everton aim to get closer to fifth place, which is currently just five points away.
In his programme notes ahead of the game, Odegaard highlighted what he finds most admirable about Everton, pointing to the “physical” prowess of the Toffees.
Get your guesses in! Bonus points for those who remember the score too 👀
Everton vs Arsenal stat.
Martin Odegaard praises “really physical” Everton
The Norway international boasts a strong record against the Toffees, winning five and drawing two of his ten meetings with Everton, while scoring three goals and assisting another two.
However, Odegaard still seems to have a lot of respect for Everton – mainly for the physicality Moyes has instilled in his side.
The Arsenal No.8 said: “It’s obviously another big game for us this afternoon against Everton, and the team are really focused. Everton are a really strong team, a really physical team who are good in all different aspects of the game.
“It’s always a big test against them, so we need to be really on it today from the first whistle, go out there and enjoy it, and fight to get the win.”
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That was evident in the reverse fixture at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as Arsenal struggled and only left Merseyside with a 1-0 win after a bizarre handball from Jake O’Brien handed Viktor Gyokeres a penalty to dispatch.
Everton need to replicate Senne Lammens tactic on David Raya
Speaking of physicality, Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens is still complaining about the rough treatment he received from Everton from set-pieces during that 1-0 loss to the Red Devils in February.
The Belgian handled himself quite well that night, but as recently as Wednesday, David Raya conceded to Bayer Leverkusen from a corner after the German side piled bodies into the box.
Is this genuinely realistic…🤔
Everton vs Liverpool stat.
It suggests the Spaniard may not be as adept at dealing with the pressure as Lammens was, so Everton need to ensure they pile as many players as possible around the Arsenal No.1 from dead ball situations on Saturday evening.
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