Everton v Arsenal: Toffees test will be key indicator of Gunners’ title credentials
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On paper, a team on a 14-game unbeaten run should breeze past a side with one win in ten. But this is Arsenal we’re talking about, and things are never that simple for the Gunners.
After a 3-1 win over Stoke on Saturday, Arsene Wenger takes his men to Everton, who lost 3-2 to Watford at the weekend.
But despite their poor run, Ronald Koeman’s side are still unbeaten at Goodison Park in the league this season and could take advantage of Shkodran Mustafi’s absence. The German was injured on Saturday and it remains to be seen how Arsenal cope without him at the back.
That’s not enough to stop the bookies putting Everton out at 3/1 for the win though, with Arsenal installed as 4/5 favourites.
After showing yet more resilience in their comeback win over Stoke, Arsenal know that to come away from Merseyside with three points would be a sizeable marker of their Premier League intent.
And having lost just one of their last nine trips to this side of Stanley Park, history suggests they have a good chance at doing so.
But after Saturday’s loss at Vicarage Road, we should expect a renewed Everton performance on home soil, especially ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the season next week.
The draw is 14/5, and that could be the angle to go for here.
Arsenal may be the second-top scorers in the division, but Everton have kept it tight at home, conceding just five times.
The Toffees have already had four 1-1 results at home this term, and with Arsenal conceding in each of their last six games, another goal-apiece affair could be great value at 6/1.
Romelu Lukaku hasn’t scored in his last four against the Gunners, but the Belgian is back in the goals after ending his four-game drought with a brace versus Watford.
Lukaku is 11/2 to net first, with Theo Walcott 6/1 to back the opener, following the Englishman’s fine performance at the weekend.
With Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points, Arsenal can make a stand here as Chelsea’s biggest challengers. But can the Gunners produce their new and improved steely nature against an Everton side desperately aching for a result?
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
