Arsenal vs Everton: Team News, Preview & Prediction

Arsenal return to the Emirates Stadium after two consecutive away fixtures, with David Moyes’ Everton coming to town following the end of their unbeaten start to the season against another London side, Chelsea.

Arsenal head into this match on the back of an impressive performance in Germany in the UEFA Champions League, where they held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw at one of the most intimidating venues for visiting teams.

The Gunners will be looking to build on that performance as they target another Premier League victory in their bid to retain the title, with Manchester City currently three points ahead of us at the top of the table.

Everton, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, a result that ended their unbeaten start to the league campaign.

However, despite their recent setback, Moyes’ men have shown enough resilience this season to suggest they will not be pushovers at the Emirates.

Arsenal have won their three home league matches this season and will be looking to extend that run against an Everton side that have drawn all three of their away league fixtures.

With Arsenal looking to maintain the pressure on Manchester City and Everton seeking a response to their first defeat, both sides have plenty to play for tomorrow.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

We have enjoyed the upper hand in recent meetings with Everton.

We are unbeaten in our last seven Premier League encounters against the Toffees, with five wins and two draws.

Our most recent meeting at the Emirates ended in a 2-0 victory for Arsenal in March 2026, with Max Dowman scoring late in the game to become the youngest-ever goalscorer in Premier League history.

Everton have struggled to find a way past us in recent seasons.

However, tomorrow’s fixture presents another opportunity for Moyes to change that narrative.

We will be confident of extending our unbeaten run, especially with the advantage of playing in front of our own supporters.

Yes, Everton are currently unbeaten on the road this season, but even better, we have won all our matches at the Emirates so far this campaign.

This fixture should not be underestimated. A potential classic awaits.

RECENT FORM

Arsenal: D-W-W-W-L-W (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss).

Everton: L-D-W-W-D-D (2 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal

Eberechi Eze

With Bukayo Saka injured and unavailable for this fixture, Eberechi Eze could be one of Arsenal’s most important players against Everton tomorrow.

The England international has the ability to unlock defences with his close control, quick feet and eye for a pass, as he demonstrated against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Eze’s ability to operate between the lines makes him difficult to mark, while his dribbling allows him to carry the ball into dangerous areas.

He was one of our standout performers against Bayern Munich, scoring the opening goal before the German side fought back.

Against Everton tomorrow, his ability to find pockets of space around midfield could be crucial.

Moyes is expected to keep his side compact, and we will need players capable of breaking through that defensive structure. That is where Eze’s movement and creativity, alongside our captain Martin Ødegaard, could make the difference between Arsenal circulating the ball without making progress and creating clear-cut chances.

If he reproduces his performance in Munich, Everton’s defenders could be in for a difficult afternoon.

Declan Rice

Declan Rice has become one of our most important players, and his contribution could once again prove decisive.

He scored the equaliser against Bayern and has registered three goal contributions in our last four matches.

The England international does not just bring energy, physicality and discipline to the midfield.

He brings so much more!

His ability to recover possession, break up opposition attacks and carry the ball forward makes him valuable at both ends of the pitch.

Furthermore, his threat from set-pieces, where his deliveries create opportunities for us inside the penalty area, does not receive nearly as much attention as it deserves.

Declan Rice is an Arsenal player through and through.

A massive asset in every sense.

His late equaliser against Bayern Munich was another reminder of his ability to make an impact in important matches.

Against Everton, Rice will need to help us control the midfield while preventing the visitors from launching dangerous counter-attacks.

With Everton likely to defend in numbers, his ability to win second balls and recycle possession will be particularly important.

Rice’s work might not always attract the same attention as goals and assists, but his influence could determine how comfortably Arsenal control this match.

Everton

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish has the potential to be one of Everton’s most important attacking outlets against Arsenal.

The winger’s ability to retain possession, draw defenders towards him and create space for his teammates makes him valuable in matches where his side are expected to spend long periods without the ball.

Grealish can also win free-kicks in dangerous areas, giving Everton opportunities to relieve pressure and threaten us from set-pieces.

Against a team like Arsenal, who like to dominate possession, Everton will need players who can carry the ball forward and help them move out of their defensive shape. That is where Grealish comes in.

His ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play could also prove particularly useful.

We will want to keep Everton pinned inside their own half, but Grealish has the potential to help the visitors escape that pressure if he receives the ball in space.

His contribution in the final third could determine whether Everton merely defend for long periods or create genuine problems for Arsenal.

Thierno Barry

Thierno Barry is Everton’s most in-form player this season.

He has scored more than half of their goals this campaign.

Seven goals in nine matches is an impressive return and highlights his clinical finishing.

The striker will need to make the most of any opportunities that come his way.

He thrives on both counter-attacks and set-pieces, while his physical presence could pose a challenge for our centre-backs.

A proper battle awaits.

MATCH FACTS

Arsenal have won their opening three Premier League home matches this season.

We have also won five of our last seven Premier League meetings with Everton, with the other two ending in draws.

Everton have failed to win any of their three away league matches this season, with all three ending in draws.

They have also failed to score on their last two visits to the Emirates Stadium.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Bukayo Saka is the major concern for us after suffering a quadriceps injury during Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich.

The winger was forced off in the 10th minute, and Mikel Arteta admitted after the match that the injury did not look good.

Saka’s absence would be a significant blow to Arsenal given his good form this season.

William Saliba is also unavailable for this fixture as he continues his recovery from a back injury.

Christos Tzolis is expected to miss the match with a hamstring problem, while Piero Hincapié remains a doubt as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Massive Call: Who replaces Bukayo Saka?

Madueke is a natural option on the right, while Eze could also be considered depending on how Arteta wants to organise his attack.

Madueke’s pace and direct approach would help stretch Everton’s defence, while Eze’s creativity and ability to drift into central areas could cause the Toffees further problems.

Both Eze and Madueke are favourites to start on either wing.

Max Dowman’s involvement could also be on the cards, especially after he scored his first Premier League goal against Everton.

Everton

Everton currently have no reported injury or suspension concerns.

However, that could change in the coming hours.

Once again, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski are expected to be important figures in central defence as they prepare to face a physical Arsenal side.

A serious test awaits them tomorrow.

Massive Call: Can Everton’s midfield withstand Arsenal’s pressure?

Moyes must decide how best to balance defensive protection with the need to support his attackers.

Everton have drawn all their away games this season, and Moyes will want his side to stay in the contest for as long as possible.

Could a low block help Everton nick a point off the champions?

Over to you, Moyes.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE MATCH

Arsenal will look to dominate possession, as we have against our opponents throughout the season, in a bid to put Everton under intense pressure.

We are favourites to win this game, but the longer it remains goalless, the greater the pressure on us will become. Arteta will therefore be targeting an early goal against a stubborn Everton side.

Everton will be confident of holding us off until at least the break, particularly given that we have failed to score a first-half league goal in our last four Premier League matches.

Expect an attacking line-up featuring Madueke, Eze and Ødegaard.

Madueke’s direct running will provide us with a way to stretch Everton’s defence, while Eze’s ability to operate between the lines could help us create openings through the middle.

Ødegaard’s defence-splitting passes will also be crucial against a side expected to sit deep.

We will also look to use our full-backs to create overloads in wide areas, forcing Everton’s defenders to make difficult decisions about whether to stay compact or follow runners into dangerous spaces.

On the other hand, Everton are likely to sit deep and attempt to frustrate us.

Moyes will know that allowing us too much space around the penalty area could lead to trouble, so his side must remain disciplined and close down passing lanes.

The visitors will also look to exploit opportunities on the counter-attack, particularly if we push too many players forward.

Barry will need support from the wide players, while Grealish could be important in carrying the ball forward and helping Everton escape pressure.

Set-pieces are likely to play an important role for both teams.

Rice’s delivery and Arsenal’s movement inside the box give us another avenue to create chances, while Everton will look to maximise any set-piece opportunities they get in the Arsenal half.

The biggest question is whether Everton can maintain their defensive discipline for the entire match, which I believe is unlikely.

Taking everything into account, I expect Arsenal to break through Everton’s defence and score at least twice, with goals potentially coming in both halves.

Do not be surprised if Arsenal find the net before half-time and add another after the break.

I expect Arsenal to win this encounter 2-0.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Everton