Arsenal sit seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, though they have played one game more. A win on Saturday would temporarily extend that advantage to 10 points before City take on West Ham later in the day. Everton come in at eighth, five points behind the teams occupying the European places, making this a meaningful afternoon for David Moyes’ side as well.
What makes Everton a genuine threat
Everton have been one of the more surprising road teams in the Premier League this season. They rank tied for third in away points won and tied for second in away points per game, a remarkable turnaround for a squad that was fighting relegation not long ago. Since Moyes returned for his second stint in charge in January of last year, only Arsenal have collected more Premier League road points than Everton’s 41.
That momentum comes into the Emirates on the back of consecutive wins over Newcastle United and Burnley. Moyes’ side have lost just one of their last 10 away league games and have not been beaten on the road since a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in December. Significant results during that stretch include victories at Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Everton arrive with an 11-day break since their last fixture, giving them a rest advantage heading into a physically demanding environment.
The set piece battle at the center of everything
The tactical subplot of this match runs through dead ball situations. Everton have the lowest average possession percentage of any away side in the Premier League at 39.3%, a figure that naturally leads to a high volume of corners and set pieces conceded. That would ordinarily be an advantage for Arsenal, who are widely regarded as one of the best set piece teams in European football.
The complication is that Everton have not conceded a single away goal from a set piece all season, the only team in the division with that record. They are also a threat themselves from dead balls, particularly with the aerial presence of 6-foot-6 center back Jake O’Brien as a target. Arsenal, despite conceding from a corner against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek European action, remain strong defensively from set pieces. The battle between these two tendencies could define the match.
Moyes has won just one of his last 21 away fixtures against Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City combined, a record that underlines just how difficult these fixtures have been for his side regardless of form. Everton have scored just three goals in their last seven meetings with Arsenal, though they have managed to take five points from those games by keeping matches tight and grinding out results.
Team news and absences
Arsenal will be without Mikel Merino, who is almost certainly out for the remainder of the season. Captain Martin Odegaard is not expected back until after the upcoming international break. Leandro Trossard is also unavailable, though his injury is not considered serious. Christian Norgaard is a notable late absentee from the squad.
Everton are without Jack Grealish, who had season-ending surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot. Carlos Alcaraz is sidelined with a muscle problem. Seamus Coleman is carrying a knock but is fit enough to be named among the substitutes.
Lineups
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Madueke, Havertz.
Everton: Pickford, Garner, O’Brien, Keane, Mykolenko, Gana, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Beto.
