When the Premier League fixture list was announced in the summer, this fixture between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park felt like it had the potential to be a massive one.
In Everton, you had a team that appeared to hold big ambitions after a summer of lavish spending. In Arsenal, the Toffees would be facing a team they’d be hopeful of catching in 2017-18, whereas the Gunners would have been looking up after breaking their transfer record to sign Alexandre Lacazette and kept their best player in Alexis Sanchez.
On the cusp of Sunday’s encounter, this still feels like an important match. But not one stitched with the positive thoughts aforementioned. Bet on it at BMR’s green-listed sportsbooks.
Confidence has been drained from both Everton and Arsenal in the early weeks of the Premier League season after a string of disappointing performances. For the home side on Sunday, things are getting critical for manager Ronald Koeman.
While a last-minute penalty from Wayne Rooney saved a point at Brighton & Hove Albion in their last Premier League outing, it wasn’t enough to disguise another awful overall performance from Everton. Once again, Koeman’s side lacked any pop in their passing, any width in their attacking and any pace in their team.
For a squad that saw circa £140 million invested in it over the summer months, to see so many stylistic and structural flaws is a worry. Even so, plenty on Merseyside feel that with the players at Koeman’s disposal, we should be seeing a lot more from this group; fingers are being pointed squarely at the manager as a result.
At Arsenal, some sections of the fanbase have been doing that towards Arsene Wenger for a long time. And those who have called for a change in leadership wouldn’t have been surprised by the manner in which the Gunners caved in against Watford at Vicarage Road in the second half.
Troy Deeney, who came on to swing the match the way of the Hornets, summed up what many believe the issue to be with Arsenal. According to the striker, they lack “cojones.”
Away from home, there have certainly been major frailties on display from the Gunners. Creating chances has been tough, while defensively they’ve crumbled under the softest of pressure from the opposition. One draw and three defeats away from home in the Premier League this season is far from good enough for a team hoping to push for a top-four spot.
That form and those weaknesses would typically give Everton confidence heading into this fixture, especially at Goodison Park. Indeed, in this encounter last season the Toffees were direct, combative and clinical in a 2-1 win against an in-form Arsenal side.
But there are major doubts as to whether this Toffees team has those traits stirring in it at the moment. Everton are not comfortable in their own skin as things stand; there’s no identity, no pathway to goal and no sense togetherness.
The opening stages of this game feel vital. As things stand, the Goodison Park crowd are disillusioned with this team and manager; they need something to feed off early on, momentum to build and for the players in blue and white to find some sense of assurance. Should they do that, Arsenal may fall into the same traps they did against Watford.
Still, it’s tough to see where that spark comes from for Everton. And while the crowd will get behind their men if they show something, if they continue to make easy choices and start sloppily, Goodison will either be riddled with angst or bald apathy. Although they haven’t shone on the road this season, Wenger has a habit of steering his team to a victory when their backs are against the wall and relieving some of the pressure on himself.
With Sanchez poised to return after missing the Watford loss and with Everton sleepwalking through the early stages of the season, this represents a massive opportunity for the visitors to get their first win on the road of 2017-18. Prediction: Everton 0-2 Arsenal
Other Tips
Arsenal to win (21/20, BetVictor)
Arsenal to win to nil (13/5, 888Sport)
Arsenal half time/full time (23/10, Ladbrokes)
Calculators
