Arsenal will travel to the intimidating Goodison Park earlier this season as they look to rectify their recent slip-ups on Merseyside in a league clash with Everton on Sunday afternoon. Everton picked up their first point of the season against Sheffield United before International Day, with the game resulting in a 2-2 draw, whilst Mikel Arteta's side secured an exciting 3-1 victory against Manchester United.
MATCH PREVIEW Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford probably had the most touching story of all during Everton's tense and intense match against Sheffield United. After a shot from Sheffield United's new number 9, Archer, crashed against the post, Pickford was unlucky to oops the ball, which bounced off Pickford's back and into the goal, but a goal from Anote Danyuma helped the visitors equalize, while Pickford's double save in the final moments of the game was stunning.
Fortunately for Everton, those contributions from Pickford helped save a point as they finally scored in their 2023-24 campaign, breaking a losing streak against Fulham, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton, all of which they failed to score in. However, Sean Dyche's side remain 18th below the relegation line in the table, just above Luton Town and bottom-of-the-table Burnley, and they have scored the fewest goals in the league, alongside Luton Town.
Arsenal have amassed 10 points from their first four games in the Premier League, with Arteta's side currently in fifth place due to a goal difference less than Liverpool, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal will head into next weekend's North London derby after their Champions League home game against PSV Eindhoven. Arsenal have been one of the league's best away from home so far, but they have won just two of their last six away games and their performances at Goodison Park have plagued them in recent years.
Everton probable starting XI: Pickford; Paterson, Tarkowski, Brathwaite, Young; Onana, Gaye; Gana, Doucoure, Danyuma; Beto. Arsenal probable starting XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Sinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Our prediction is that Arsenal will beat Everton 2-0. Whatever the magic of Goodison Park, Arsenal seem to be cursed to play there, but with Everton's ongoing injury and attacking problems, it's hard to imagine Arsenal being beaten on Merseyside again. Arsenal may be distracted by the fact that the Sen**ors are playing their first Champions League game in more than six years next week, but Arteta's men played more like their old selves against Manchester United and they should be able to pick up a first win against Everton in their first game since the Wenger era.
