Premier League: It’s Not All Good for Everton at Goodison Park

Everton vs Arsenal

Everton and Arsenal are eyeing bounce back performances as they’ll head over to Goodison Park for their upcoming Premier League encounter.

Both sides are coming off of losses as Everton were crushed 4-1 in the most recent Merseyside Derby vs. Liverpool while Arsenal endured a tough defeat at the hands of Manchester United with no thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s heroics in the five-goal thriller.

After a lacklustre start to which they were once at the drop zone, Arsenal have picked themselves up and they’re now at the fifth spot with 23 points. Meanwhile, Everton have slumped to 14^th with 15.

Rafa Benitez and Mikel Arteta have come under fire at stretches so far this season, although there’s bigger pressure for the Everton manager given their poor stretch of recent Premier League 2021 results.

A victory here would certainly provide a morale boost for both Benitez and Arteta, which is why they will do whatever they can to ensure that their teams won’t drop more points on Monday.

Talking Points

Rafa Benitez needs more time at Everton

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri said that Rafa Benitez will be given more time and financial backing to improve Everton, especially in the upcoming January transfer window.

That was his response following the barrage of criticisms hurled toward Benitez’s way after the Toffees suffered their sixth loss in eight winless matches on Wednesday against Liverpool.

Benitez is Everton’s fifth permanent managerial hire in the last five seasons, illustrating the club’s lack of continuity and dysfunction – which means that their slump isn’t entirely on the former Liverpool manager.

It doesn’t help that the Toffees weren’t spared by the injury bug. Their attacking prowess has been compromised as Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who was their top hitman last term – has been sidelined since August due to a thigh injury.

Andros Townsend has been doing all he can for Everton and he’s their top scorer with five goals and three assists while Demarai Gray has four goals.

Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure have yet to hit their stride since they only have two goals apiece, and their production has to improve in the following weeks.

Shoring up their depth is Everton’s top priority in January as Benitez admitted this week that the club will sell certain players at a profit and use that money to bolster their squad.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can’t get it going for Arsenal

Despite leading the team with seven goals and two assists, the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a worrying concern and Mikel Arteta may need to rethink his tactics.

Auba was underwhelming against Manchester United in the last time out as he failed to convert in any of his five shots, and he’s now scoreless in their last five league games.

Confidence for the Gabonese is at an all-time low and Arsenal may need to start looking for his long-term replacement starting in January.

With Aubameyang’s dip in form alongside the expiring deals of Alexandre Lacazzette and Eddie Nketiah, Arsenal are reportedly searching for their new frontman which includes the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jonathan David, and Gabriel Barbosa.

History

Everton will be encouraged to know that they’ve had Arsenal’s number in recent encounters.

Their previous meeting took place in April where Everton came away with a 1-0 win at the Emirates as they benefitted from Bernd Leno’s own goal at the 76^th minute.

Under Carlo Ancelotti last term, the Toffees achieved a double over the Gunners and they’ll be looking to win their third straight here – which is something they haven’t done in English top-flight since April 1986.

Arsenal are winless in their last three league visits at Goodison Park (D1, L2). They’ve had a longer winless away league run against the Toffees between 1989 and 1994 (6 games).

Overall, these two clubs have faced off 217 times prior to Monday. Arsenal hold the significant advantage with 108 wins while Everton have won 63 times along with 46 draws.

Betting Tip

	Everton vs Arsenal	Arsenal Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.19
	December 7, 4:00 (GMT+8)

Given that they’re in better form, the SBOTOP Premier League 2021 odds are backing Arsenal to come out victorious. However, their edge is not that big over Everton.

Arsenal are installed at 2.19, while an Everton win is priced at 3.35 and a draw is at 3.20 in the 1X2 market.

Goals can come in bunches for this contest. However, we expect those to come from Arsenal despite the struggles of their top striker in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Other than the Gabonese, the Gunners still possess enough quality up front to make a difference, and that should be enough for Arteta’s side to take all three points.

 

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