Game Week 5 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Everton

Everton has become a boogie team to Arsenal at Goodison Park, can the Gunners break the jinx on Sunday when both sides meet? (Photo credit: BBC)

 

Everton vs Arsenal

Goodison Park

4:00pm

Arsenal is yet to beat Everton at Goodison Park since the departure of Arsene Wenger in 2017, Mikel Arteta must try to change that when the Gunners travel to Everton on Sunday.

Everton has just one point on the board this season and that was in the last-gasp stalemate at Sheffield United before the break. Three straight losses at the start of the season were toned down by a 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup, the Toffees need results.

Arsenal with a win could go into Champions League places but it will take a win of epic proportions to take the Gunners as high as second on the table behind the champions that remain perfect after five league games.

Everton has new owners and the club would look to springboard from there to greatness after an underwhelming start to the season. Sean Dyches’ position is under threat and a result of note against the Gunners would hand him a breather.

Mikel Arteta has tinkered in ways Arsenal fans won’t stop moaning about. The continuous use of Kai Havertz is stalling the free flow of Arsenal’s game and once he’s removed, the game changes and you wonder if Arteta doesn’t see it.

Everton could welcome back Dominic Calvert Lewin, and he is expected to start alongside Beto upfront in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, but how will Arsenal respond to that? Will Arteta feature his regular back four of Alex Zinchenko, Ben White, William Saliba, and Gabriel?

Everton beat Arsenal 1-0 last season in Sean Dyches’ first game in charge after the sacking of Frank Lampard. Arsenal must be wary of another potential banana peel, and if the Gunners indeed want to challenge Manchester City, they should be winning here.

Bukayo Saka is fit and available for selection and so is every one that featured against Manchester United before the break. Thomas Partey is a long-term absentee, but Arteta hinted that the Ghana international could be back after the next international break.

Arsenal is yet to lose a game Gabriel Jesus scored in, and in fact, the Brazilian hasn’t lost a game he scored in. Everton is one of his favourite opponents, but he missed both games against the Toffees due to injury last season.

Verdict: Arsenal to win