Arsenal defeat raises questions about Everton defence and formation

Everton were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in their first pre-season match in Baltimore and this loss raises more questions about the defence and tactical formations.

First of all obviously, this was the first competitive game of the pre-season for Everton so it is difficult to make concrete statements about the team, players and how they will be set up when the Premier League season kicks off on 6th August.

The players will get fitter and sharper over the next few weeks, hopefully signings will be made and that will surely improve competition and performances.

There were though some old issues resurfacing and challenging questions that came out of the match in the US.

One of the old issues is of course the defence and once more that defence looked porus and vulnerable, especially in the first half.

The Toffees’ conceded the first goal from a set-piece, something that was so often a problem last season. While again it is early days in pre-season, this issue has to be sorted out before the new campaign begins.

Everton cannot afford to let in so many goals from set-plays again next season and it looks like much more work is still needed there with time ticking on.

This brings us onto the question of the formation employed by Frank Lampard. The Blues’ manager has said he is looking at a three-man central defence as his best tactical option because of the lack of a suitable midfield number six.

This is something that I have long advocated for as it does seem critical to improving the Toffees’ team overall and particularly helping to strengthen and protect the backline.

Someone like Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko would do very nicely in that position but it looks as though if the leaves the Etihad, he will be joining Everton’s opponents in this match instead of moving to Merseyside.

There are relentless rumours of the Blues’ interest in this midfielder or that one but as yet no one has been brought in who can do this defensive lynchpin role. Lampard has said resolving this problem is a critical prioirty. Let’s hope he can and soon and then settle on a tactical plan.

As I’ve said many times before, I think ideally Everton should be looking to set up in a 4-3-3 or similar tactics as a basic starting formation. To do that though the team needs that number six position sorted out.

Lampard might have a few options in this current squad to consider. Jean-Philippe Gbamin is fit and healthy (which seems a miracle) and he came on for his first minutes in royal blue since the end of last year. As we’ve so often speculated, can he possibly revive his career at Goodison Park?

In addition, youngster Lewis Warrington, a defensive midfielder of real promise who was on loan at Tranmere Rovers last season, also seemed very comfortable playing in the first-team.

Of course, there’s a lot for him to learn and it’s very different playing in a pre-season friendly to even contemplating the intensity of the Premier League. But, if he keeps developing he might be the long-term solution in this position.

Finally, the friendly also gave the manager a chance to look at his younger squad members in a competitive match.

One of those is Nils Nkounkou who was in Belgium on loan last term. He provided an attacking outlet out wide and put in a few dangrous balls but Vitalii Mykolenko is much the better player defensively so I’m not sure what his future role will be.

Several of the youngsters as well as Warrington really impressed including Stanley Mills and Reece Welch. The two young defenders did well, looking composed and confident. And again, while it’s very early days perhaps they will be able to offer added competition and backup options in the squad.

But, there is still a real need for more pace, creativity and goals in this team. Not unexpectedly, on this evidence new faces are desperately needed before Everton take on Chelsea in the season opener.