As the festive football calendar heats up, Arsenal welcomes Everton to the Emirates Stadium for a captivating clash in the Premier League. The Gunners, currently sitting on 29 points after 15 matches, will be looking to maintain their strong home form against a Toffees side that has shown resilience despite injury challenges.
In a positive development for Mikel Arteta’s squad, defender Gabriel has returned to training and is in contention to play, bolstering a defense that has remained relatively solid this season. However, the Gunners will still be without Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who are sidelined due to injury. Arsenal has yet to lose a Premier League match at home since April 2022, reflecting their formidable presence at the Emirates.
On the other hand, Everton is gradually regaining fitness as Nathan Patterson, Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja, and Seamus Coleman participated in a training match earlier this week. Despite these positive signs, the Toffees will still miss long-term absentees Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner. Sean Dyche’s men have only managed to secure two victories in their last 32 Premier League visits to Arsenal, a troubling statistic as they seek to reverse their fortunes against the Gunners.
Historically, Arsenal boasts an impressive record against Everton, with 102 victories — the highest by any club against a single opponent in English league history. The Gunners have scored a remarkable 124 Premier League goals in this fixture, and they will be keen to add to that tally. The last time these two teams met, Arsenal triumphed in all three subsequent league encounters since Dyche’s first match as Everton manager, a narrow 1-0 victory in February 2023.
Arsenal’s attacking prowess has been particularly noteworthy, with Martin Ødegaard emerging as a creative force, having created an unrivaled 17 chances in the league since returning from injury. Additionally, Gabriel Jesus, who has historically found joy against Everton with eight Premier League goals, will be eager to break his goal drought that stretches back 22 matches.
As for Everton, while they have struggled on the road, they have managed to keep their defensive line tight, conceding the fewest goals since matchround five. The Toffees’ ability to score from set-pieces has been a key aspect of their game, with eight out of their 14 league goals coming from these situations.
This match is not only significant for the points at stake but also marks a milestone for Sean Dyche, who will be managing his 500th league match. With his record against Arsenal not the strongest, he will be eager to mark the occasion with a performance that reflects his team’s growing resilience.
Kick-off is set for 1600 hrs WAT or 3 PM UK time, and with both teams having much to prove, fans can expect an enthralling encounter filled with determination, strategy, and the magic of Premier League football.
OTHER WEEK 16 PREMIERSHIP MATCHES TODAY DECEMBER 14, 2024
