Mikel Arteta’s job could be on the line as Arsenal face Everton at the Goodison Park on Saturday. The Gunners are heading into this game on the back of a six-game winless run in the Premier League. As a result, they are languishing at the bottom end of the table, just five points ahead of major relegation candidates Burnley.
Everton, on the other hand, have had an upturn of fortunes in recent weeks. Following a difficult run of form in November, the Toffees have now won three of their last five league matches, with their most recent triumph coming against Leicester City in midweek. So they are the undisputed favourites heading into this game as the Merseyside giants look to get into the top four by the end of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
A Brief Tactical Preview Of Everton Vs Arsenal
Talking Tactics
Everton
Carlo Ancelotti is an avid admirer of the 4-2-3-1 formation, so it remains unlikely that he will make any changes to the core of his setup heading into this game. The Toffees’ primary gameplan in this fixture will be to provide the threat on the counter through their technically gifted and pacy attackers while they might also look to score from set-pieces if Arsenal’s recent trend is anything to go by.
Arsenal
Arteta had to settle for a three-man backline in midweek due to the absence of Hector Bellerin. However, with the Spaniard back from suspension, the Arsenal manager should look to deploy a classic 4-2-3-1, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returning to his number nine role. The Gunners have adopted a more attacking approach, with a lesser emphasis on defensive stability, so we can expect them to dominate possession once again.
Team News
Everton
James Rodriguez remains a doubt for Everton on Saturday. He and Seamus Coleman could both potentially feature against Arsenal but are expected to face late fitness tests. Either way, it remains unlikely they will start this weekend.
The likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Lucas Digne and Fabian Delph, meanwhile should remain sidelined due to their long-term injuries.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfrey; Doucoure, Gomes; Iwobi, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.
Arsenal
Arsenal are missing two of their key midfielders in Granit Xhaka (suspension) and Thomas Partey (injury) as well as defensive lynchpin Gabriel Magalhaes (suspension) heading into this game. But, they will be blessed with the return of Bellerin while the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Willian, Joe Willock and David Luiz are all expected to make their way back into the starting eleven.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Willock, Elneny; Willian, Lacazette, Saka; Aubameyang.
Key Men
Everton
Following a remarkable display in the win over Leicester City, Everton will once again be banking on Richarlison to deliver the goods in the final third this weekend. The Brazilian has been in terrific form, of late, and the onus will be on him to provide that pinch of dynamism, physicality and aggression that should be enough to breach the lines of the Arsenal backline.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s biggest takeaway from the draw with Southampton was the goal of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored his first goal from open play since the opening day fixture against Fulham. The Gabonese international is hoping to continue that momentum against the depleted Everton backline this weekend.
