Game Week 31 Predictions: Everton to take points off Arsenal at Goodison Park

Arteta faces Everton with Arsenal's defense depleted, Saka shining & Real Madrid looming. Can the Gunners avoid a slip-up at Goodison? Draw predicted

Everton has a huge chance to beat Arsenal on Saturday with the Gunners thinking about the visit of Real Madrid in midweek, will they take their chances? (Photo credit: Opta)

If you were Mikel Arteta, with Real Madrid coming to the Emirates on Tuesday, Gabriel out injured in the defence and Jurien Timber limping, how would you approach the visit to Goodison Park?

Liverpool is running away with the title, no doubt about that, and the Kops don’t have the distractions from the Champions League or any other cup competition. Why should Arsenal risk things against a physical side like Everton?

Speaking of Everton, they were fortunate to have James Tarkowski available for this fixture following his escape against Liverpool in midweek; the England defender launched a nasty tackle on Alexis Mac Allister but was lucky to only bag a yellow.

Everton is safe from relegation as things stand. David Moyes is now going to see how high they can finish this season. The goal is to turn the Toffees into a steady top ten side, pushing for Europe and challenging the big boys; it starts from here.

Bukayo Saka repaid the faith of the Arsenal fans with an instant impact against Fulham, scoring the important goal which became the winner; he will be granted more minutes in this one to get him ready for the big one against Real Madrid.

Everton’s approach will be the same one they deployed at the Emirates, which earned them a point. While it’s a completely different context, the last visit of Arsenal to Goodison would be memorable if they can get the points off the Gunners.

Beto missed two gilt-edged chances against Liverpool; he would hope to do better against Arsenal as the man leading the line. Jack Harrison has blown hot and cold recently; he needs to find consistency if he wants to reach the heights many thought he would attain. This is one fixture he needs to show up for.

How will Mikel Arteta line up? Will he rest the likes of Myles Lewis Skelly and Timber in defence to accommodate Kieran Tierney and Ben White? It’s also left to be seen if the latter is fit, as he missed the visit of Fulham due to something he suffered in training.

Gabriel Martinelli was a different beast against Fulham; will he step up again if called upon? Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard both have huge chances of starting for the Gunners on Saturday; it’s a lunchtime kickoff. Where will this one swing?

Verdict: Full-time draw