For the third week in a row Everton take on a club from the capital as Arsenal travel up to Merseyside for tomorrow’s game at Goodison Park.
Arsenal have been a real bogey club for Everton over recent years. In fact the Blues have only managed a paltry seven wins in the Premier League era over the Gunners. That’s a truly miserable record.
And the Toffees have had some horrible results against Arsenal, especially at Goodison Park. But tomorrow is a chance to make it three in a row against London clubs if they can manage to overturn this recent history.
So how can Everton win the game?
The Gunners have a very potent attack and score plenty of goals but they have also exhibited their now seemingly traditional defensive frailties.
In particular Arsenal are vulnerable defending set-pieces and winning the ball in the air, much like Everton have been for the majority of the season.
The Blues have in fact improved in this respect recently and look like they are becoming a bit more solid at the back. And last week’s win at West Ham saw Kurt Zouma score for the Toffees from an attacking set-piece.
So this might be an area where Everton can threaten the Gunners and could find opportunities to score goals.
Obviously the Toffees are going to have to defend very well and maintain their concentration for the full 90 minutes. Arsenal’s forwards are very dangerous and Pierre-Emerick Aubamyang especially is having a superb season.
Arsenal are an excellent counter-attacking side too and will be a real threat in those type of situations.
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What the Blues cannot do is a repeat of the Newcastle game recently when they were cruising and in control before throwing away a two-goal lead through some truly terrible defending.
There don’t seem to be any new injury problems with the team and so all things being equal I would expect Marco Silva to probably pick the same team that beat West Ham.
So let’s hope the Toffees can continue their fine recent form tomorrow and make it three wins in a row for the first time all season.