Everton welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park this Sunday.
Everton will host Arsenal in a Premier League clash on Sunday, with Sean Dyche’s side still seeking their first league win of the campaign.
After losing their first three Premier League matches of the season without scoring a single goal, there are reasons for optimism following the Toffees’ 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last time out.
Dyche will be aware that a win, or even a draw, against the Gunners would represent a huge boost for the Merseyside club.
However, points won’t come easily against Mikel Arteta’s in-form side. Dyche will need to ensure that his Everton side maximise every advantage they have if they’re to stand a chance against the north London club.
If they get their game plan right, though, and execute it perfectly, then Everton can beat Arsenal.
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Maximise set pieces
Arsenal can be vulnerable against set pieces. Despite having plenty of height in their team, it is a weakness that can be exploited. Fulham recently demonstrated this by scoring a late equaliser from a corner kick at the Emirates Stadium.
In the likes of Amadou Onana, James Tarkowski, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and £26 million striker Beto, Everton have players who can be dangerous in set piece situations. These are good targets to have to hit.
Dyche also knows how to set up well for set piece routines. They must get this aspect of their game right on Sunday, in an attacking and defensive sense.
Dominate key spaces
Arsenal will have a lot of the ball at Goodison Park. However, by winning their duels in key areas, Everton can ensure that this possession remains harmless. The Gunners love to create chances with neat interplay in the inside channels, with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka combining on the right, and Gabriel Martinelli driving forward on the left.
The onus will be on the Everton full-backs to prevent Saka and Martinelli cutting inside to positions they can shoot or play short passes into the box from. If Dyche’s side can win back the ball in these areas, then Arsenal can be vulnerable to counter-attacks, as goals they conceded against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest this season have shown.
Fire up Goodison Park
Arsenal have a poor recent record at Goodison Park. Everton have won four and drawn one of the last five meetings between the two sides on the Toffees’ turf.
Dyche will be well aware of how important a role the Everton fans have this weekend. If they can get behind the home team and generate a raucous atmosphere, then the Gunners may wobble and falter in an arena that have plenty of nasty memories from.