Premier League: Gunners Must Lock In Against the Shorthanded Toffees

Everton vs Arsenal

With Manchester City and Aston Villa coming for their heads, Arsenal must continue to tack on points in the Premier League standings to capture the elusive title once and for all. Mikel Arteta’s men have had a mixed bag of results lately, and they almost dropped points in their most recent contest.

The Gunners are coming off a 2-1 win over Wolves, who threatened to share the spoils, last Sunday. And on Saturday night, they will visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time to face Everton, who are aiming to return to winning ways.

Everton lost 2-0 against Chelsea last weekend, but they have recorded four wins in their last six matches (L2). Because of their improved form, David Moyes’ side rose to ninth place and is two points adrift of fifth-seeded Crystal Palace, sixth-seeded Manchester United, seventh-seeded Liverpool, and eighth-seeded Sunderland.

Read more below for the SBOTOP preview of this clash.

 

Talking Points

Everton might not have their best playmakers

Despite playing at home, the Toffees will enter Saturday’s match as the massive underdogs against the league leaders, since David Moyes is in danger of missing up to four key players versus the Gunners. They might have a gaping hole in the middle of the park, which Arsenal can exploit.

Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye will play for Senegal in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. This season, the Senegalese duo has combined for six league goals and two assists, with Ndiaye being the Toffees’ joint-top scorer.

Furthermore, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was forced off in the 16th minute of the clash with Chelsea after sustaining a hamstring injury, so he’s doubtful for this weekend. To make matters worse, Jack Grealish is questionable after sustaining a knock in the same game. Jarrad Branthwaite (thigh), Seamus Coleman (hamstring), and Merlin Rohl (groin) are also unavailable.

Their absences would mean more opportunities for others, namely Tyler Dibling, Charly Alcaraz, Tim Iroegbunam, and Dwight McNeil, who could make his 100th Premier League appearance for Everton this Saturday. Thierno Barry should stay as the No. 9, with Beto likely coming off the bench, while Moyes will likely stick with the back four of Vitaliy Mykolenko, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, and Jake O’Brien.

 

One in, one out for Arsenal’s rearguard

Arsenal suffered a defensive injury blow inside the first half of Saturday’s victory over the Wolves, as Ben White sustained a hamstring injury that would likely sideline him for weeks. 

The 28-year-old defender joins Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh), Kai Havertz (knee), and Max Dowman (ankle) in the medical room. However, there’s good news for the Gunners, as Riccardo Calafiori will return from a one-game suspension. The Italian will join Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, and Piero Hincapie at the back.

Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres continues to struggle in the Premier League, and head coach Mikel Arteta could be tempted to replace the Swedish striker with Mikel Merino, their Swiss-Army Knife.

 

History

Everton are winless in their last five Premier League games against Arsenal (D2, L3), having won four of their previous five against them (L1). However, the Toffees managed to take points off the Gunners in their two meetings last season. They last drew three in a row between November 2012 and December 2013, when Mikel Arteta was still playing for Arsenal.

Victory for Arsenal will see them at the top of the English top-flight standings at Christmas for the third time in the last four seasons. However, Arsenal went on to finish second in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns. The Gunners have conceded the first goal in five of their last seven Premier League away games, including their last three in a row. 

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2025 odds are lopsided in favour of the visitors on Saturday. Arsenal are 1.61 favourites to take maximum points, whereas Everton are huge 5.10 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.52 in the 1X2 market. With Everton not at full strength, don’t be surprised if they drop their second consecutive league game, especially with Arsenal having a full week to prepare.

Besides rooting for the Gunners to win, fans at the Hill Dickinson Stadium should also get their fair share of Premier League 2025 highlights. Bettors may also want to add Over 2.00 at 1.58, Over 2.25 at 1.85, Over 2.50 at 2.11, and Total Goal 2-3 at 1.97 to the parlay. Moreover, a Correct Score of 1-1 – the result of their last encounter – offers a solid payday of 7.10 your bet.

   

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