Everton vs. Arsenal | Premier League | Pre Match
Everton vs. Arsenal
On Saturday lunchtime, Goodison Park will witness a poignant reunion as former Everton colleagues David Moyes and Mikel Arteta face off for what promises to be their final touchline encounter at the storied Merseyside venue, with Moyes’s Toffees hosting Arteta’s Arsenal in a Premier League clash steeped in narrative weight. Moyes, a figure synonymous with Everton’s modern history, returned to the club in a move that stirred the emotions of the Goodison faithful, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a determination to steer the team away from the perils of relegation. Arteta, meanwhile, has carved out his own legacy at Arsenal, transforming the Gunners into genuine contenders once more, and this fixture offers a compelling clash of past and present. Everton head into the game licking their wounds after a narrow 1-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, a result that snapped their nine-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and left them frustrated despite a resilient showing. Arsenal, by contrast, arrive buoyed by a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fulham at the Emirates, a result that solidified their grip on second place in the league standings and underscored their credentials as a force to be reckoned with. For Moyes, this match represents an opportunity to outsmart his former protégé, while Arteta will be eager to maintain Arsenal’s momentum and overcome a historically tricky fixture on the road. The stakes are high for both sides, with Everton desperate to regain their footing and Arsenal aiming to extend an impressive unbeaten streak away from home.
Arsenal’s triumph over Fulham was a microcosm of their season—gritty, determined, and punctuated by moments of individual brilliance amid a mounting injury crisis. The game saw several former Arsenal players return to the Emirates, including Emile Smith Rowe, Bernd Leno, Willian, and Alex Iwobi, but it was Bukayo Saka, another returning Gunner, who stole the headlines. Saka, sidelined for much of the campaign with a serious hamstring injury, marked his first appearance of 2025 with a decisive goal just six minutes after coming off the bench. The England star rose at the back post to head home a pinpoint cross, doubling Arsenal’s lead after Mikel Merino’s fortunate deflected opener. The moment was capped by a heartfelt embrace with Arsenal’s strength and conditioning coach, a testament to the work that went into Saka’s recovery. However, the Gunners’ joy was tempered in stoppage time when Rodrigo Muniz pulled one back for Fulham, denying them a clean sheet but not the three points. That victory kept Arsenal four points clear of Nottingham Forest in second place, and while their title hopes may soon be mathematically extinguished, their hold on a Champions League spot looks increasingly secure. Arteta’s side now face a daunting double-header against Real Madrid in Europe, but first, they must navigate this trip to Goodison Park, a ground where they have historically struggled. From their last 26 Premier League away games against Everton and Liverpool combined, Arsenal have won just three, a statistic Moyes will no doubt relish as he prepares to pit his wits against Arteta’s tactical acumen.
Everton’s midweek defeat to Liverpool was a bitter pill to swallow, not least because of the manner in which it unfolded. The Toffees were arguably fortunate to finish the game with 11 men after James Tarkowski’s reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister went unpunished in real time, though the PGMOL later conceded it warranted a red card. Diogo Jota’s solitary strike proved the difference, ending Everton’s unbeaten streak and extending their winless run in the league to five matches following four consecutive draws. Despite the setback, Everton remain comfortably perched in 15th place, 14 points clear of the relegation zone—a testament to the stability Moyes has instilled since his return. However, defensive frailties have crept into their game; Jota’s goal meant Everton have now conceded in each of their last eight matches across all competitions, as well as six of their last seven at home. This vulnerability could prove costly against an Arsenal side that, even depleted, boasts attacking threats like Saka. Historically, Everton have had the upper hand at Goodison against Arsenal, with last season’s 1-0 defeat ending a five-game unbeaten home streak against the Gunners. Yet their goalless draw at the Emirates in December offers hope that they could achieve a rare feat: keeping clean sheets in both league meetings with Arsenal in a single season for the first time since 1913. Moyes will need to rally his troops, harnessing the fire of a wounded side smarting from derby disappointment to thwart Arteta’s ambitions.
Arsenal’s injury woes continue to cast a shadow over their campaign, with the Fulham win coming at a steep cost. Ben White was ruled out before kickoff with a niggle, while Gabriel Magalhães (hamstring) and Jurrien Timber (knee) sustained injuries during the match. The most devastating blow came post-game when it was confirmed that Gabriel, a linchpin of Arsenal’s defense, would miss the rest of the season. This opens the door for Jakub Kiwior to step into the backline, while Thomas Partey is likely to deputize at right-back once more. The treatment room remains crowded, with Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), and Kai Havertz (hamstring) all sidelined, though Saka’s unscathed 30-minute cameo against Fulham suggests he could be in line for his first start of 2025. Arteta’s ability to manage this depleted squad will be tested at Goodison, where Arsenal aim to stretch their unbeaten Premier League away run to 11 matches. The Gunners’ resilience has been a hallmark of their season, but Merseyside has long been a graveyard for their ambitions, and overcoming Everton will require a blend of tactical nous and physical resolve. Saka’s return provides a significant boost, his goal against Fulham a reminder of his capacity to turn games in Arsenal’s favor, but Arteta will need others to step up in the absence of so many key figures.
For Everton, the team news is a mixed bag. Tarkowski escaped retrospective punishment for his tackle on Mac Allister and will anchor the defense, but Moyes must contend with absences elsewhere. Orel Mangala (knee), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh), and Dwight McNeil (knee) are unavailable, though Iliman Ndiaye’s return to fitness offers a glimmer of hope. The attacker made a second-half cameo against Liverpool and could be in line for a start, potentially replacing Jack Harrison to inject dynamism into the final third. Moyes is unlikely to overhaul his XI, resisting the urge to deploy a five-man defense despite Arsenal’s attacking pedigree. His approach will likely hinge on Everton’s physicality and home advantage, qualities that have often unsettled Arsenal in this fixture. The Toffees’ recent defensive lapses notwithstanding, their resolve remains intact, and the prospect of Moyes masterminding a result against his former apprentice adds an extra layer of intrigue. As Goodison Park prepares for one of its final Premier League chapters before Everton’s move to a new stadium, this clash carries emotional and competitive weight—a battle between two managers with shared history and divergent paths, each seeking to leave their mark on a season teetering on the edge of defining moments.
