Everton play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and Sean Dyche might have some tough selection decisions to make, one of them being the selection of summer recruit Neal Maupay who has struggled to hit the ground running.
In the reverse fixture, which was Sean Dyche’s first game as Everton boss, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was leading the line. He was taken off after 60 minutes as a precaution. Later, it was revealed that Calvert-Lewin is nursing a hamstring issue and will be out for some time. It has not been three games without the Englishman and he is now set to miss the Arsenal clash too.
Dyche has not provided any timeframe on the striker’s return, leaving Everton short of options in the attack. Theoretically, EFC have Maupay and Ellis Simms to fill in the striker’s role but none have been able to do the required job. Simms was given a go against Liverpool and even though he was decent, the 22 year old is far too inexperienced to lead the line.
Everton boss Sean Dyche should drop Neal Maupay against Arsenal
Maupay on the other hand has started against Leeds United and Aston Villa. He has now gone without scoring in 17 games and doesn’t show promising signs. The Frenchman was signed from Brighton in the summer for £15 million but has failed to live up to the expectations, netting just one goal in 880 minutes of Premier League football.
It is simply not clicking for Maupay at this stage and Dyche should look for other options at this point. Everton’s failure to sign a striker in the January transfer window is now coming back to haunt them. Perhaps, against Arsenal, Simms could be given an opportunity ahead of Maupay. Having Simms in the lineup will not magically solve the goalscoring woes but when he has been on the pitch, he has got into goalscoring positions.
If the former Burnley manager wants to go all berserk, Demarai Gray could be experimented in the central role. The 26 year old is not a striker but his pace and directness could allow Everton release Gray at the front and bring in support from the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure or Amadou Onana.
For Maupay, some time off from the constant brunt could help him rejuvenate and build his confidence back.
Will Neal Maupay start against Arsenal?