Everton vs Arsenal – Gunners too good for Toffees

Updated: 2nd October 2023

Everton vs Arsenal – Goodison Park – October 22, 2017 -13:30hrs – EPL Preview

Arsenal's resurgence post their 0-4 debacle to Liverpool in late August was brought to a grinding halt by Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday last. After going through a spell of four unbeaten matches, the Gunners succumbed 1-2 to Watford. There were some poor refereeing decisions going against them.

Arsenal sans Alexis Sanchez looked sharp in patches, getting as many as six shots on target and had it not been for some sensational stuff by Watford’s Heurelho Gomes between the posts, the Gunners would have been home and dry with a win. Even the back-line of Koscielny, Mertesacker and Monreal looked good allowing the rivals just 2 shots on the goal.

Arsenal will now head to Goodison Park knowing that they were the better side in their unfortunate defeat at Vicarage Road. Alexis Sanchez was rested by Wenger keeping an eye on the October 19 Europa League away clash in Serbia where they play Red Star Belgrade in a Group stage game. Sanchez should be back for the Everton clash and will have the likes of the very impressive Sead Kolasinac, Danny Welbeck and Alexendre Lacazette to give him company upfront. Olivier Giroud could be introduced sometime in the second-half as usual as was the case in the Watford game.

Everton haven't been the same side after the departure of their talismanic striker, Romelu Lukaku, to Manchester United. From a comfortable place in the Top 10 in the past seasons, the Toffees have crashed to near-relegation territory at present. This is thanks to just one win the Toffees have managed to show in their last 6 Premier League outings. Two of their four losses were at home at Goodison Park, considered a fortress for Everton in earlier seasons.

The only 5 goals they have managed from as many as eight games, have laid bare the absolute ineffectiveness of their forwards Wayne Rooney, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies and even their £45 million acquisition from Swansea, Gylfi Sigurdsson.

For Arsenal, the big relief is getting their first away goal at Vicarage Road. This could set in motion better things going ahead and for a striking force that has such rich talent, it's hard to imagine not getting a goal at least at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Arsenal have won five out of their six previous encounters against Everton, although their last trip to Goodison Park had ended in a 1-2 defeat. The Gunners look poised not to repeat that.

Everton could very well be on the backfoot against the Gunners after their gruelling trip to Lyon for a Europa League clash that could not end very well for them. Everton are at the bottom of their Group E after 2 games, while Arsenal have scored impressive wins from both their games and head their cluster.

Thus, current forms will have a big role to play in the Goodison Park clash. Arsene Wenger's men look the clear favourites in the October 22 game.

Everton vs Arsenal Prediction

Correct Score Tip: Everton 1-3 Arsenal 14/1 at William Hill

Correct Score Tip: Everton 1-2 Arsenal 15/2 at William Hill

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