Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates on the final day of the season, as they look to make a late push for the English Premier League title.
The Gunners are aware that the ball is not within their court, following Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side will be intensifying their efforts, hoping for a potential shocking slip-up from the Cityzens on matchday 38.
Manchester City’s win over Spurs meant that Pep Guardiola’s side usurped Arsenal to the summit of the log, having amassed 88 points from 37 matches, 2 points adrift the Gunners, who occupy the 2nd spot.
Arsenal will be hoping that Manchester City lose or draw against final-day opposition West Ham United, as it would aid them in winning the league title.
If the Cityzens draw against the Hammers and Mikel Arteta’s side win against Everton, both title chasers will end the season level on 89 points, with goal difference deciding who wins the league.
Arsenal currently have a better goal difference of +61 compared to Manchester City’s +60.
Arsenal Need To Defeat Everton To Have Any Hope Of Winning The Premier League
Additionally, in the eventuality of Manchester City losing their own game, the Gunners only need to win against Everton to become champions, as they will end the season with 89 points, 1 better than Pep Guardiola’s side’s 88.
Definitely, that looks nearly impossible, but all Arsenal have at this culminating stage of the season is hope.
The Cityzens are on a 22-game unbeaten league run, with Aston Villa being the last team to defeat the side on December 6, 2023.
Pep Guardiola’s side have also not slumbered at this critical phase of the campaign, as they are on a 6-game winning run across all competitions.
Certainly, it’s difficult to bet against Manchester City doing their job to win the league crown.
Anyway, Arsenal come into this fixture after a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, in a game that the Gunners didn’t bring their A-game but got the job done.
They are on a 5-game winning run in the league, and they will be aiming to end the grueling campaign on a high.
The Gunners battled hard in the reverse fixture against Everton at Goodison Park, with the lone goal of the game being scored by Leandro Trossard in the 69th minute.
The Toffees are a bogey side for Arsenal, with Sean Dyche’s side last picking up a win against the Gunners in the first leg of their meeting last season.
Everton defeated the Gunners 1-0, with a big goal from James Tarkowski deciding the affair.
Moreover, in the last 30 meetings between the two sides, Arsenal have a superior head-to-head record, as they have won 18 matches, while both sides have shared the spoils on 5 different occasions.
Everton have also become victorious 7 times, with the last win as aforementioned coming in February 2023.
Team News For Arsenal
Jurrien Timber remains the only player doubtful for the Gunners but he is believed to be okay having recovered from a serious knee injury sustained on the first day of the 2023/24 season.
However, it is uncertain if he can feature in their last game of the season, as his match fitness level is undefined.
Team News For Everton
Sean Dyche’s side may welcome back midfielder Andre Gomes for the game against Arsenal, while Jack Harrison, Vitalii Mykolenko, Dele Alli, and Nathan Patterson all remain unavailable for action due to injury.
Expected Line-ups For Arsenal:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Rice, Partey, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Expected Line-ups For Everton:
Pickford; Young, Branthwaite, Coleman, Tarkowski; Onana, Gueye, McNeil, Garner; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Everton.
Kick-off Time and Date: 04:00 PM, Sunday, May 19, 2024.
