On Merseyside, the volume rises when the giants arrive.
Over the season, the deafening wall of sound at Goodison Park transformed fear into a weapon, proving that the "home factor" wasn't just a cliché, it was Everton’s lifeline in a grueling battle against relegation.
Those defiant results defined the Toffees, sparking a momentum that has followed them into the Hill Dickinson Stadium. While the new ground is already yielding points, David Moyes knows that survival isn't enough, he’s looking to go from strength to strength. To do that, he’ll need his side to replicate their clinical Goodison Park form against one team in particular.
Now, that team arrives at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in prime form this weekend. Sitting top of the table, Arsenal boasts a level of depth that is the envy of Europe, yet they arrive with a psychological weight to shed. The Gunners will be desperate to ensure their first visit to the Toffees' new home brings three points and finally silence the ghosts of away trips they have come to dread in recent years.
There is a tangible sense of optimism flowing through the docks as tomorrow evening’s fixture approaches. For years, Arsenal have looked profoundly uncomfortable on Merseyside, a trend the Toffees are desperate to carry into their new home. This is an opportunity to dent their title hopes and boost our European ambitions.
The last games certainly back the hosts. In the last seven meetings in Everton's backyard, Arsenal have managed a solitary victory, while the Blues have claimed four hard-fought encounters. You have to look back to 2017 to find the last time the Gunners truly dictated terms here with a 5-2 rout, since then, this has been a fixture of Evertonian control.
While the venue has changed, the record remains imposing. Historically, the Toffees have dispatched Arsenal 47 times on home soil, leaving the North London giants with just 33 triumphs to show for over a century of visits.
As the club transitions to its new stadium, there’s a real sense among fans and players that lessons and confidence from those Goodison battles can be carried forward. The looming new era offers a chance to build fresh rivalries on a foundation strengthened by past home success against top opponents like Arsenal.
If Everton can replicate that competitive edge at home in their new surroundings, it will give supporters plenty to cheer as the next chapter unfolds.