Sean Dyche will take charge of Everton for the first time on Saturday against Arsenal at Goodison Park. The Toffees go into the game 19th in the league standings and only off the bottom of the table thanks to goal difference.
Dyche has a difficult job on his plate, and it won’t be easy facing off with Arsenal to start his time as manager. Everton are on a three-game losing streak in the league ahead of Arsenal’s visit.
Getting started. pic.twitter.com/xkCxyY3QUM— Everton (@Everton) January 30, 2023
Getting started. pic.twitter.com/xkCxyY3QUM
The Gunners are first in the league standings and renew their title fight with a trip to Merseyside. Five points separate Arsenal and Manchester City. City won’t play until Sunday evening when they visit Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal could end Saturday eight points ahead of City and apply pressure on the reigning champions. The Gunners picked up 16 points from their last 18 points on offer. No team played better than Arsenal throughout the last six games in the league.
Mike Arteta watched Arsenal score 17 times in their last six games and concede a mere six goals to opponents. The Gunners have the best away points total in the league with 25 from 10 games.
Everton took one point from their last six games. The team is on a three-game losing streak ahead of Arsenal’s arrival. Everton conceded 14 times in the last six games for an average of more than 2.0 goals per game.
The Toffees are on a four-game losing streak at home. Just two games in the league this season ended as wins for Everton at Goodison.
Everton failed to sign any players during the January transfer window. They are the only Premier League team not to add a new squad member. The combination of poor form, possible relegation, financial problems, and Dyche being manager likely turned off players.
It is easy to forget that Dyche was the manager of Burnley at this time last season and was leading them straight into the Championship. Dyche overachieved with Burnley for a few seasons before it all went south.
Andros Townsend, Nathan Patterson, and Michael Keane are all three ruled out for Dyche. The manager may also be without James Garner and Ben Godfrey.
Arteta could start new signing Jorginho after the Italian arrived from Chelsea for £12 million on transfer deadline day. Injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are likely to keep the duo out of action.
Gabriel Jesus is ruled out of the game along with Reiss Nelson. Emile Smith Rowe is unlikely to make a return.
Arsenal are in fine form and should continue it against Everton. The Gunners should exploit Everton’s poor defence with the game ending 3-1 on Dyche’s debut.