Everton will continue their quest to qualify for one of UEFA’s competitions this weekend as they travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Toffees are coming into this fixture on the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley last time.
They will fancy their chances of taking points off Arsenal, having done so in two of their last three meetings with the Gunners.
Everton fans who will be catching all the action through live soccer streams will also be hoping their side takes another significant step towards European qualification on Saturday.
Match Preview
Arsenal may not have delivered a vintage performance on Wednesday night, but they still found a way to secure a decent result against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Interestingly, it was Kai Havertz who stepped up to deny his former employers, converting from the penalty spot to ensure Arsenal came away with a draw.
Leverkusen had taken the lead merely seconds into the second half as Robert Andrich rose highest at the far post to head home a corner from Alejandro Grimaldo.
However, Arsenal slowly worked their way back into the game, and an adventurous run from Noni Madueke drew the highly controversial penalty that Havertz converted.
It was another example of how Arsenal have managed to grind out results this season, even when their performances have not been convincing.
The same pattern has appeared in recent domestic matches.
Narrow victories over Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were far from dominant, but they helped Arsenal open a seven-point gap over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Manager Mikel Arteta appears to have built a team focused on winning by any means.
Determined not to fall short for a fourth consecutive season, the Gunners are showing a new determination to collect points, even on nights when the performance is not perfect.
With the second leg approaching at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal will feel confident they can finish the job in front of their home supporters.
The Premier League leaders have won each of their last five matches at home, while scoring multiple goals in five of their last six at the Emirates.
Everton are the latest team to put that record to the test, but the odds are stacked against the Toffees.
While Arsenal continue to chase the dream of lifting the Champions League, Everton are building their own push for European football under the experienced guidance of David Moyes.
The Toffees strengthened their chances of finishing in the top seven with a comprehensive win over Burnley in front of their home supporters.
Goals from James Tarkowski and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on either side of half-time secured a comfortable 2–0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The result was especially important for Everton, who had struggled at home in recent weeks and had gone seven matches there without a win.
Breaking that run could prove important as the season moves into its final stretch. Everton now sit just one point behind Brentford in seventh place.
The gap to Liverpool in sixth and Chelsea in fifth is also within reach, with only five points separating the sides. Interestingly, Everton have been stronger away from home than at their own ground this season.
Of their 43 points so far, 24 have come on the road. That away form ranks among the best in the league, with only Arsenal and Chelsea earning more points away from home.
Title challengers Man City have matched Everton’s total but hold a better goal difference.
However, the odds are still stacked against the Toffees. Arsenal claimed a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture and are unbeaten in their last six league meetings with the Toffees.
Team News
Arsenal will be without Mikel Merino this weekend, while Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are doubts.
Meanwhile, Everton will only be missing Jack Grealish, Seamus Coleman, and Carlos Alcaraz.
Arsenal potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi; Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli; Kai Havertz
Everton potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Jarrod Branthwaite, Vitaly Mykolenko; James Garner, Idrissa Gueye; Dwight McNeil, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye; Thierno Barry