Everton vs Arsenal is a fixture that could end the reign of coach Mikel Arteta at Arsenal if he fails to pick up a point or even the maximum three points. Before their scheduled visit to Everton’s Goodison Park, today, December 19 at 18:30, Arsenal have failed to record a win in their last 6 Premier League matches.
Besides the fact that Arsenal are struggling at all fronts in the Premier League this season, the club’s away record has been terrible so far and that is expected to continue when Mikel Arteta leads Arsenal to face in-form Carlo Ancelotti’s side that recorded two victories in their last three league matches.
Arsenal managed to win one away match out of their last 5 Premier League games. While Everton are still basking in the victories over Chelsea football club (1-0) on December 12 and went on to defeat Leicester City 2-0 away from home on December 16 to keep their hopes of finishing in the top four alive.
Before Everton picked up this incredible form, they failed to pick a maximum of three points in four games which almost stained the amazing start they had earlier in the season where they recorded seven victories in a row. If Everton manage to beat Arsenal tonight without conceding a goal, that will make it three successive times Carlo Ancelotti and his men will enjoy such a feat this season.
But that might be difficult tonight going by the rejuvenated show Arsenal put up when they faced in-form Southampton on December 16. Even though the London club had a red card in the match, they were able to end it with a 1-1 draw.
The best part was that the club’s most reliable goalscorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finally found his goalscoring boot after waiting for 648 minutes without a league goal. Arteta would hope that the Gabonese striker scores again tonight.
💬 "Hopefully this unlocks a little bit because he is a player who needed that moment."@m8arteta 🤝 @Aubameyang7 pic.twitter.com/9pEGvPSRr5
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 17, 2020
Notwithstanding, Arteta knows that Goodison Park is always a tough ground for Arsenal especially in the last two seasons in which the Gunners suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Everton. The possibility of such a trend continuing tonight is very high.
So far this season, Arsenal have recorded 4 wins, 2 draws, and a whopping 7 defeats. They have managed to garner 14 points in 13 league goals which left them on the 15th spot. While Everton have recorded 7 wins, two draws, and four defeats in 13 games. They are currently sitting on the 5th spot with 23 points.
Everton Premier League form: LWLDWW
Arsenal Premier League form: LDLLLD
Arsenal form (all competitions): LWLWLD
Everton vs Arsenal: Team News
Mikel Arteta will be going into Everton vs Arsenal fixture with two options at the back of his mind, to win or draw because a defeat tonight could cut short his stay at Arsenal.
Unfortunately for him, his new signing, Thomas Partey will not be available for the match as he is still dealing with fitness issues. Gabriel Martinelli might not also make the journey to Goodison Park tonight.
Arteta will not have the luxury of selecting Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Magalha as they are still serving their three-match ban from the red cards they earned in separate games.
On the other hand, coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to stick with the formula that has been working for him in Everton’s last two games.
Hence, he might not feel the absence of his influential full-back Lucas Digne who has been battling to recover fully from an injury. Ancelotti might not also have the luxury of selecting Allan except there is a drastic improvement in his fitness level.
Everton probable starting lineup:
Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfrey, Kenny; Iwobi, Gomes, Doucoure, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal probable starting lineup:
Leno; Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ceballos, Saka; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang
