Everton vs Arsenal: Relegation candidates face tough test - February 4th

February 3, 2023 By Michelle Bonsu

Topics: TV Listings, TV Schedules, Everton, Arsenal, English Premier League

The Toffees will likely be in for a tough test as current league leaders Arsenal come to town on Friday, February 4th.

Everton will be facing a likely tough exam when current league leaders Arsenal come to Goodison Park on Friday. The Toffees, who sacked Frank Lampard and appointed Sean Dyche in his stead, presently find themselves in a shockingly bad 19th spot, with just 15 points earned. At the moment, they are looking set for a drop to the Championship unless if they can turn around a poor patch of form that has seen them fail to win a match since beating Crystal Palace 3-0 back in October.

Indeed, the Toffees are on a ten match winless streak and have lost their last four matches across all competitions. To complicate matters, they sold promising youngster Anthony Gordon during this winter's transfer market and failed to find any sort of adequate replacements, which may not bode well for their hopes to avoid the drop. However, they have enjoyed some success against Arsenal in recent matches, with wins in three of their last four meetings against the Gunners. A win on Saturday would not only continue that trend, but more important, help lift them out of the drop zone.

Of course, that will be easier said than done. Arsenal have managed to surge to the top of the table, and while they are not yet fully clear of reigning champs Manchester City, Mikel Arteta's side have given their legions of fans plenty to celebrate this season. After a series of positive results to start the current year, including beating both Tottenham and Manchester United, Arsenal were brought back down to earth as they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup, which means that the Gunners will be involved in just two competitions this season - the Premier League and the Europa League.

With City not in action until Sunday, Arsenal could temporarily extend their lead to eight points before the Cityzens take on Tottenham in a much-anticipated encounter later this weekend. The Gunners may have struggled in recent meetings with Everton, but could make history on Saturday should they beat their floundering opponents, it will mark a 100th victory for Arsenal, making them the first team in Premier League history to beat the same team 100 times.

Team news: Everton vs Arsenal

Everton: The hosts will have to make do without Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, Andros Townsend, Nathan Patterson, and James Garner due to a various injuries.

Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, and Mohamed Elneny are all out for the visitors, while Thomas Partey could also miss out. Reiss Nelson has returned to training after a thigh issue.

Match facts: Everton vs Arsenal

Everton have won three of their last four Premier League games against Arsenal (L1)
Arsenal have won 99 of their 202 league games against Everton (D43 L60)
The Toffees have won their last two home games against Arsenal and are hoping to win three in a row at Goodison Park for the first time since the 1970s
The Gunners have won their last three away games by two or more goals, and could make it a fourth with a similar result for the first time since 1953
Everton are winless in their last eight Premier League games (D2 L6)