Everton go into their first match after the January transfer window and they are up against a new looking Arsenal side. The Toffees will be happy with their business in the winter window having snapped up talented players like Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott. Their latest addition Eliaquim Mangala is also expected to be available for selection. The match will be an emotional journey for Theo Walcott who will be entering the away dressing room at the Emirates for the first time in his career. Walcott left his boyhood club this month in search of regular football and has been a bright spark in the Toffees side.
Everton’s task is not expected to be easy with Arsenal expected to line-up with their new stars in the side. Arsenal’s record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might not be in the starting eleven given that he just came to London a couple of days back but Henrikh Mkhitaryan can be expected to line-up next to Arsenal’s highest earner Mesut Ozil.
The match will provide Allardyce to show the work he has put in with a struggling Everton side and dampen Arsenal’s chances to make it to the top four.
Here is how Big Sam is expected to arrange his team.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Jordan Pickford can be expected between the sticks for the Toffees. Seamus Coleman has returned from his lengthy spell on the sidelines and can be expected at right back once again. At left back, Cuco Martina can be expected. The centre of the defence can be marshalled by Michael Keane alongside Manchester City’s on-loan signing Eliaquim Mangala.
Midfield
Idrissa Gueye can be expected to sit behind alongside Morgan Schneiderlin at the base of the midfield.
Wayne Rooney can be expected to take up the number 10 role once again as he will face off against one of his favourite opponents in Arsenal. The veteran Englishman will be flanked by Gylfi Sigurðsson on the left who will want to use his crossing ability to pick out the runners ahead of him.
On the right wing, it will be the old Gunners boy Theo Walcott. The pacey Englishman will have a point to make and it will be exciting to see how he fared in a match where emotions can get the better of him.
Attack
Cenk Tosun has not had the best start to his Everton career but a good shift against an opposition like Arsenal might just kickstart his career at Merseyside and the Turk will be expected to lead the line.
