Charly Alcaraz playing for Everton.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Everton have their toughest game of the season so far on Saturday as they go to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal – and David Moyes should strongly consider starting Charly Alcaraz.
There was disappointment at the weekend as the Toffees saw their unbeaten run fall against Chelsea. Pedro Neto struck twice for the visitors, with Everton giving a pretty tepid performance at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Chelsea’s firepower is well known under Xabi Alonso. But so is their defensive vulnerability, and Everton failed to take the game to their opponents. David Moyes was also criticised for making some strange decisions.
A big response is required this weekend against Arsenal, but it will not be easy. The Gunners have the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League after seven rounds of fixtures.
Thierno Barry has missed 11 big chances so far in the Premier League and has some people calling for his rotation after seven straight starts – and there is an argument here that Charly Alcaraz deserves a chance.
What’s your honest position on Thierno Barry at the moment? 10 big chances missed in the PL, but six goals across all competitions. It's fair to say he divides opinion at Everton, but Dewsbury-Hall is a fan…👀
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Gary Oakley – Everton FC/Everton FC
He's under pressure every day he plays nobody with him if we played two up front for instance say Graham it could make a big difference I'm sure his confidence would shoot up as long as he is the lone ranger the problem will not improve
Barry is so infuriating at times he might score an awkward or difficult goal & then easy opportunity goals he fails with, he definitely needs help with his heading get hold of Tim Cahill he will shilow him how it's Done.
@freddie the previous 3 draws could have been wins if Barry didn't miss sitters.moyes should start with Charly or the youngster whose always on the bench. They definitely cant do any worse than barry
When Charly Alcaraz stung Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
We know that Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George are options to play through the middle. But Charly Alcaraz also has previous experience of playing up top – and he’s actually hurt Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium before.
In 2023, he started up top for Southampton against the Gunners, and made a huge impact on the game. He opened the scoring after just a minute, intercepting a poor pass from Aaron Ramsdale before firing into the far corner. It was good awareness from the Argentine, and the finish wasn’t half-bad either.
Southampton then made it two, with Alcaraz involved again. Arsenal turned the ball over in the middle of the pitch, and the ball was then played to Alcaraz who had dropped between the Arsenal defence and midfield.
Showing excellent vision, he played a perfect pass inside Gabriel to find Theo Walcott, who made no mistake with the finish.
Later in the half, Alcaraz almost added a second, hooking an effort towards goal from inside the area, prompting a save by Ramsdale.
Not content with being a thorn in Arsenal’s side in the final third, Alcaraz also made a goalline clearance. Strangely, Alcaraz was actually then substituted at half-time, with manager Ruben Selles withdrawing him as he was on a yellow card and he needed to make a tactical change.
Alcaraz must start for Everton at Arsenal
So he’s already shown he can be a threat against Arsenal at the Emirates and David Moyes ought to strongly consider starting him on Saturday.
He’ll be champing at the bit to play, having lacked minutes so far this term. His brilliant finish against Wolves in the Carabao Cup had plenty of people talking, and this really could be his ideal opportunity, factoring in that impactful display for Southampton in 2023.
Barry is Everton’s only striker, but the Frenchman has missed a fair few chances. If Moyes doesn’t want to drop him, then perhaps he could make Alcaraz his partner.
It’s not something we see very often. But potentially it’s something that could work down in north London, although it would require Moyes to drop one of his midfielders.