Match Preview: Everton vs Arsenal

We take on Everton for the final time at Goodison Park this Saturday lunchtime in our last Premier League match before our highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.
 

Our last Premier League outing against Fulham saw the return of Bukayo Saka, who had been sidelined since Christmas.

The 23-year-old wasted no time making an impact, finding the net just seven minutes after his introduction in the second half. His availability provides a significant boost for Mikel Arteta as we prepare for a challenging Champions League tie against 15-time winners Madrid.

However, it wasn't all positive, as Gabriel was forced off early on Tuesday night, and it has since been confirmed that he will no longer feature this season, as he requires surgery on his hamstring.

The Brazilian centre-back has been a key figure in our defence over recent years, and his absence ahead of the run-in is likely to be felt.
 

Moyes' Everton Resurgence

David Moyes began his second stint at Everton in January, replacing the dismissed Sean Dyche with the Toffees sitting 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Few could have anticipated the immediate impact he would have on the struggling Blues.

Following a narrow one-goal defeat to Aston Villa in his second debut, the Scot had his side undefeated in nine games until their defeat to league leaders Liverpool on Wednesday night.

This has moved them up to 15th in the table and, more importantl, 14 points above the relegation places.

In their final season before bidding farewell to Goodison Park, their home since 1892, it was crucial that they secured Premier League survival before making the move.
 

Arteta's comments ahead of Saturday's meeting with the Toffees

On visiting Goodison one last time: "It will be very special. There's a lot of history as well between the clubs and I have my own personal story which was a beautiful one, with the manager that has just come back now and he's doing extremely well. I'm so happy for the club, and for David because it's never easy to come back there for the second time. In my opinion, he was the person who lifted that club to a different level and now he's on the journey to do it again once they move to a new stadium, so I think it's a really nice story."

On losing Gabriel to injury: "It was a tough one to digest because we just got Bukayo back and then we lost Gabi. So it was tough, but the team reacted like it has reacted all season. I'm really proud of that and we know that he's going to be out for a while, so we need to find different solutions and keep competing the way we have been all season."

On if Real Madrid is a bigger game than Everton: "No, that's wrong. The biggest game for us is Everton, and the best way to prepare for Real Madrid is to do what we have to do to beat Everton. Because this is football, it's an emotional game and you have to continuously do what you have to do, and you cannot be thinking ahead - the competition, the level, how the teams are prepared, is too big to think that way. You cannot allow yourself to think that way."
 

Stats and Facts

Our opponents are winless in their last four league meetings with us, after previously winning four of five league encounters between December 2020 and February 2023.

Only Liverpool (17) are on a longer unbeaten run away from home than us (10).

After our 0-0 draw with Everton at home in December, we have the chance to record clean sheets in both meetings for the first time since the 2011-12 season. On the flip side, you have to go back to 1913 for the last time we failed to score in both league meetings with the Toffees.

Since the start of 2024, we have accumulated more points on the road (52) than any other team in the competition while also conceding the fewest goals (16) in that time.

Skipper Martin Odegaard has recorded five goal involvements in his last seven appearances against Everton; he will be aiming to add to that tally before he leads the team out against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
 

Match Officials

Darren England will officiate our meeting with Everton at Goodison Park.

The Doncaster-born referee has taken charge of 14 Premier League matches this season, issuing 60 yellow cards and three reds.

He officiated Everton's 3-2 win over Tottenham three weeks after

Refereeing our 1-0 victory against Ipswich.
 

Referee: Darren England

Assistants: Scott Ledger, Akil Howson

Fourth official: Bobby Madley

VAR: Stuart Attwell

Assistant VAR: Wade Smith