Everton will aim to bounce back from their first Premier League defeat of the season when they visit Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
The Toffees saw their unbeaten start end with a 2-0 loss last weekend, leaving them with just one win in their last six league matches.
Everton face another difficult challenge against an Arsenal team chasing a third consecutive Premier League win.
However, Toffees boss David Moyes will hope his players can take confidence from their impressive performances against the Gunners last season.
Match preview
Everton have anchored their early-season campaign around defensive organisation and physicality.
Toffees centre-half pairing James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite provide a strong presence at the back.
However, their inability to turn draws into wins has slowed their progress, and the 2-0 weekend defeat to Chelsea exposed some defensive weaknesses.
The Toffees have drawn four of their opening league matches, recording only two wins in seven games.
They remain difficult opponents away from home, though, having avoided defeat in each of their first three Premier League away fixtures this season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have won their last two league matches and remain close to Manchester City at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side also recovered from a tricky start against Bayern Munich to claim a 2-2 Champions League draw in midweek.
Everton have failed to beat Arsenal in their last seven meetings, making Saturday’s assignment particularly challenging.
Moyes will need his side to defend aggressively, compete for second balls and take advantage of any fatigue from Arsenal’s European commitments.
Match stats
Everton have not beaten Arsenal in their last seven meetings, with their most recent victory coming in February 2023
Arsenal have won their last two Premier League matches against Everton without conceding
Everton have drawn three of their first three Premier League away games this season
Only one of Everton’s last six Premier League matches has ended in victory
Arsenal have won their last six Premier League matches at the Emirates Stadium
Team news
Moyes did not reveal the full extent of Everton’s injury concerns ahead of the trip.
Jarrad Branthwaite is a doubt after missing training earlier in the week.
Christian Norgaard made his Everton debut last week after recovering from a groin injury. He is still not fully fit.
James Garner and Harrison Armstrong are therefore expected to continue in central midfield, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall operating further forward.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles endured a difficult afternoon against Chelsea, opening the door for ‘hybrid‘ centre-half Jake O’Brien to return at right-back.
Tyrique George, 20, should be back in the first team after being inexplicably dropped in recent matches.
Jack Grealish is also an option in a more central attacking role, while Thierno Barry is expected to lead the line.
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka. William Saliba and Christos Tzolis are also unavailable, although Piero Hincapie could return.
Everton predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.