The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Everton is shaping up to be a significant encounter as both teams face contrasting pressures going forward. Arsenal, having enjoyed success recently with 16 goals scored over their last five games, are eager to reclaim momentum after their disappointing draw against Fulham. They require three points to keep the heat on leaders Liverpool, who currently lead by six points. Everton, on the other hand, will be entering the match with confidence following their last outing, where they secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is under pressure to maintain his squad’s form as they continue their pursuit of the title. After Arsenal had dropped points against Fulham, there was concern over their reliance on set pieces, but the team responded well with a dominant 3-0 win over AS Monaco midweek in the Champions League. The Gunners, with key players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard performing well, are poised to climb back up to second place, should they secure victory against the Toffees.
The match is set to take place at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal, kicking off at 3 PM GMT on December 14, 2024. This time slot has resulted in the match not being televised live within the UK due to broadcast regulations, but viewers from the US can catch the game via Peacock Premium, which has the streaming rights.
Both teams have made changes to their lineups since their last performances. Arsenal’s squad sees Gabriel Magalhaes return from injury, with Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber also coming back to form. The decisions come as Arsenal cope with injuries affecting players like Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White, and the team has brought young Myles Lewis-Skelly to the forefront following recent impressive performances.
On the other hand, Everton’s manager Sean Dyche has made just one change to the side following their emphatic win over Wolves, bringing Jack Harrison to the starting team to replace Dwight McNeil, who is sidelined with injury. The team is hoping to leverage their recent strong performance as they look to pull clear of the relegation zone, currently sitting at 15th place and five points above the drop. A victory for Everton would expand their lead from the relegation region to eight points and boost their confidence moving forward.
The significance of this match extends beyond immediate league standings, as the historical rivalry shows Arsenal with 102 wins against Everton, making it the most recorded victories by any team over another within England’s top-flight history. Arsenal's consistent performance at home has contributed to this and will be something Everton must be wary of.
Statistically, Everton has struggled to find the net on the road, having failed to score away from home since November. Over their last three away matches, they have attempted 42 shots with only 3.26 xG to show for their efforts. Meanwhile, they have scored eight of their fourteen league goals (57%) from set-pieces, the highest ratio recorded by any side since West Bromwich Albion's 61% during the 2014-15 season.
With Arsenal’s victory today, Arteta's side hopes to boost their confidence and momentum as they prepare for the challenges of the remainder of the Premier League season. Despite facing setbacks earlier, they will be relying on home advantage and their attacking prowess as they aim to solidify their position at the top of the standings.
Kick-off is fast approaching, and both teams are eager to settle matters on the pitch. The fans at the Emirates Stadium are poised for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in this historic rivalry. Will Arsenal maintain their home advantage and strike back against Everton, or will the visitors snatch the points away and spark another wave of optimism? Only time will tell as the action heats up this afternoon.
