Our Everton writers select their line-ups for the Premier League trip to defending champions Arsenal on Saturday
Jake O'Brien of Everton dribbles the ball during the Carabao Cup round 3 match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on September 16, 2026. (Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jake O'Brien should be recalled to the Everton starting line-up against Arsenal, according to both Chris Beesley and Connor O'Neill (Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The great thing about football is that there's always the next game. But as Everton attempt to bounce back from their first defeat of the 2025-26 season, that next game just happens to be one of the hardest in the Premier League.
The Blues make the trip to the defending champions, Arsenal, today (3pm kick-off) as firm underdogs. But as they proved in last corresponding clash, before going down to a late, harsh 2-0 defeat, they have got it in them to cause Mikel Arteta's men problems.
But given how lacklustre the second-half showing was in last Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Chelsea, should David Moyes make changes to what, understandably, has been a fairly settled line-up.
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Our Everton writers have their say as they pick their starting XIs for the daunting Emirates test...
Today could be an emotional return for Ainsley Maitland-Niles at Arsenal having previously spent two decades man and boy with the Gunners, but after some defensive lapses in Everton’s last couple of games, I think it could be time to take the club’s long-awaited new right-back out of the firing line.
The solution could be to move James Garner into the role, but while that might be an effective ploy against some lesser opponents, I fear that taking him out of central midfield would leave the Blues lacking bite in the engine room in a fixture in which they’ll have to dig in away to the Premier League champions.
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As we saw last time out, another Arsenal old boy of more recent vintage, Christian Norgaard unfortunately still looks well off the pace whereas Hayden Hackney coming into the team would seemingly add silk rather than steel.
Therefore, Garner stays put and I’m sorry, but we’re back to going against Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s summer wishes and sticking Jake O’Brien in at right-back for this one. While the Republic of Ireland international brings more solidity to the back four – where Jarrad Branthwaite is hopefully passed fit – I’d contrast that with a more progressive switch further forwards and stick in Tyrique George for Merlin Rohl on the right wing.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Everton boss David Moyes
Connor O'Neill
First things first, Jordan Pickford starts in goal, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski lining up at the heart of the defence.
Vitalii Mykolenko will start at left-back, and while Ainsley Maitland-Niles might be desperate to play against his former club, he needs to start this game on the bench.
Merlin Rohl might be the name on many people’s lips to start at right-back, but I would bring in Jake O’Brien from the cold and give him his first Premier League start of the season.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Merlin Rohl before the match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17, 2026
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Merlin Rohl before the match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17, 2026(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images))
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While in midfield, it is a case of more of the same with James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harrison Armstrong getting the nod in the middle.
On the left would be Jack Grealish, while Tyrique George’s energy and pace could be crucial, so he should start on the right, with Thierno Barry up top.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.