Everyone wondered how
Arsenal would approach their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester City
last weekend.
Some felt Mikel Arteta
should make wholesale changes to his team and in effect write off the
competition. Others thought he had to name his strongest possible side with the
intention of beating Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals.
In the end, Arteta
rested a handful of his regular starters but included the likes of Bukayo Saka,
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in the XI.
Arsenal lost 1-0, but
they pushed City all the way and by no means disgraced themselves. All things
considered, it was not the worst outcome for the Gunners.
Arsenal will now turn
their attention back to the Premier League, where they have the chance to pile
the pressure on Manchester City ahead of the latter’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur
on Sunday.
Everton vs Arsenal betting tips
The
Dyche era starts here as Everton attempt to climb out of the bottom three, but
this is the worst possible fixture for the ex-Burnley boss to begin his tenure
with.
Arsenal
to win first half – 10/11 (bet365)
Everton’s
problems did not start and end with Frank Lampard. The owners and directors are
the biggest issue at the club right now, and it is they who have attracted the
ire of most Evertonians.
At
the same time, Lampard can have few complaints about losing his job. He fulfilled
his remit by keeping Everton up last season, but the team failed to kick on in
2022/23.
Everton
rose as high as 12th in the table after a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in
October, but Lampard’s side then went on an eight-game winless streak which
ultimately cost the manager his job.
Dyche
inherits a team that is second-bottom in the standings, although Everton are
potentially just one win away from climbing out of the relegation zone.
The
decision to appoint a seasoned survival specialist in Dyche was a sound one,
but it could take a while for the new boss to rebuild confidence in the camp.
Arsenal
could further demoralise Everton by taking control of this game early on. The
Gunners have won 11 first halves this term, more than any other team.
Arsenal to win to nil – 11/10
(bet365)
Everton’s
principal problem this season has been a lack of cutting edge in attack.
Only
Wolves have scored fewer goals than the Toffees, who have found the back of the
net just 15 times in 20 matches.
Everton
have failed to score in eight games. In 90 percent of their Premier League
fixtures in 2022/23, they have notched one or zero goals.
Dyche
will have his work cut out in turning things around. Everton were the only
top-tier side not to make a signing in the January transfer window. Not only
that, they lost joint-top scorer Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United.
If
Dominic Calvert-Lewin can stay fit, he could be Everton’s hero this season. If
not, the burden will fall on Demarai Gray to be Dyche’s main man in attack.
Arsenal
have the second-best defensive record in the division, with Newcastle the only
team that have conceded fewer than their 16 goals.
The
Gunners have been particularly solid on the road, conceding just six times in
their 10 matches at opposition stadiums – the joint-best away record in the
league.
Everton
will huff and puff on Saturday and there could be times where the league
leaders are put under pressure. But Arsenal are made of sterner stuff these
days and Everton lack quality in forward areas.
Bukayo Saka to score any time –
21/10 (bet365)
It
is hard to predict who will win Arsenal’s Player of the Year award this
season.
In
defensive areas, Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba and Ben White have all been
top-class. Xhaka and Partey have been superb in midfield. Up front, Gabriel
Martinelli and Martin Odegaard will both be strong contenders.
But
perhaps the leading candidate as things stand is Saka, who won the award at the
end of the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns.
The
England international has scored seven goals and provided seven assists, which
means he is averaging a goal involvement every 116 minutes.
Eddie
Nketiah scored twice in Arsenal’s last Premier League outing, a 3-2 victory
over Manchester United, but Saka was the major difference between the two
sides.
The
21-year-old takes penalties for Arteta’s side and provides a threat from open
play when cutting in from the left flank.
Everton
used a back three at times under Lampard but they will probably line up with a
four-man defence on Saturday. The home team must ensure they keep a close eye
on Saka, but that is easier said than done.