Everton vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

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·05 de abril de 2025

Everton vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

Everton host Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime in what will be the final time the two sides meet at Goodison Park.

In midweek the Toffees narrowly lost the Merseyside derby to fierce rivals Liverpool. Diogo Jota scored the decisive goal at Anfield to end Everton’s six-game unbeaten streak.

Vídeos OneFootball

Everyone got through the game unscathed with key forward Iliman Ndiaye appearing off the bench. The 25-year-old had been sidelined for action for six weeks by a knee injury in the reverse fixture against the league leaders.

David Moyes delivered more positive news in his pre-match press conference with Dwight McNeil possibly featuring in the squad. The English winger is yet to appear under the new manager due to a long-term knee injury he sustained in December.

Arsenal have the opportunity to reduce the gap between them and Liverpool to nine points this afternoon. However, the Gunners suffered a massive blow on Tuesday night as Gabriel was forced off with a hamstring injury.

Further examination confirmed the club’s initial fears and the defender’s season is likely to be over due to the issue requiring surgery. Alongside Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Brazilian’s focus will now be on returning for pre-season.

Jakub Kiwior will deputise for Gabriel, but Mikel Arteta may opt to rotate elsewhere with their Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid just three days away.

Jurrien Timber and Ben White could also be seen as potential replacements for the centre-back, although they themselves have fitness issues to contend with. The pair will be assessed to determine their availability for the trip to Merseyside.

Everton vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

Form

Everton: DDDDL

Everton lost away from home for the first time in David Moyes’ second spell on Wednesday night.

The Toffees have a disappointing record at Anfield which was further extended by the narrow defeat to Liverpool. It put a stop to a run of four consecutive draws in the league with Moyes making the blue half of Merseyside difficult to conquer.

Their recent success has steered them comfortably clear of the threat of relegation. They are 14 points above the drop zone with eight games remaining.

Survival was crucial for Everton as they move into their new state-of the-art stadium at Bramley-Moore Docks next season.

Read – Everton condemn online threats aimed at James Tarkowski

Arsenal: WDDWW

Arsenal overcame London rivals Fulham during midweek with a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

More importantly for the Gunners, Bukayo Saka made an instant impact upon his return to action. The Hale End academy graduate netted Arsenal’s second with a close-range header.

Today’s match against Everton is more of an unwelcome distraction to the mammoth tie ahead of them next Tuesday.

Arsenal host Champions League holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their European quarter-final. During Mikel Arteta’s tenure, the North Londoners haven’t achieved anything significant in Europe. The Spaniard will be hoping to navigate his players into the last four and take them one step closer to glory.

Read – Arsenal predicted lineup and team news vs Everton

Last Meeting: Arsenal 0-0 Everton, Premier League, 14th December 2024

Everton frustrated Arsenal back in December to see the game end goalless at the Emirates Stadium. The hosts had the lion share of possession, but Sean Dyche’s side still posed a threat in transition.

Gabriel needed to produce a last-ditch block to prevent Abdoulaye Doucoure from having an uncontested shot from a few yards out.

With the opposition defence forming a resolute barrier on the edge of the area, Arsenal were forced to try their luck from range. Skipper Martin Odegaard bypassed Idrissa Gana Gueye with a cute body feint but dragged the resulting shot wide.

The Norwegian technician had the best opportunity of the match on the half hour mark. Bukayo Saka pulled the ball back to the midfielder, who struck an effort goalwards, only for Jordan Pickford to divert the attempt over the crossbar.

Either side of the interval, England’s number one preserved his clean sheet with strong stops to thwart Gabriel Martinelli and Saka.

Mikel Arteta and his players then had appeals for a penalty waved away after a combination of Vitalii Mykolenko and Doucoure robustly dealt with Thomas Partey. A VAR review revealed the Ukrainian left-back managed to get a slight touch on the ball.

The winning goal proved elusive for the Gunners and Everton returned to Merseyside with a hard-fought point.

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What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Goodison Park will be at 12:30 BST on Saturday, 5th April 2025.

Who is the referee?

Darren England will be the match official. Scott Ledger and Akil Howson will assist him while Bobby Madley will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Stuart Attwell and he will be assisted by Wade Smith.