Premier League: Can Lightning Strike Twice at Goodison?

Everton vs Arsenal

When I said a week ago that the next batch of Premier League fixtures provided a real opportunity for Everton to recover from their early season setbacks, this wasn’t the game I had in mind.

It was, however, a chance for the Gwladys Street end to be at its most raucous, and you don’t need to cast your mind back too far to know what impact a rocking Goodison Park can have.

For it was in February in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge that Everton took on the then long-term league leaders and won 1-0 in a rousing encounter.

It was a result which gave Evertonians belief and three points which ultimately proved crucial in the final reckoning.

It was also a result which, I believe, sowed the first true seeds of doubt in Arsenal’s mind as to whether they could challenge champions Manchester City – and we all know how that ended.

This time, Arsenal will again arrive on Merseyside as clear favourites. But if Everton can show the same resilience and belief they displayed on that Saturday lunchtime seven months ago, then perhaps they can kickstart their season before forthcoming meetings against Brentford, Luton Town and Bournemouth.

Talking Points

This will be a first home match for £25 million signing Beto, whose presence in the Toffees’ attack seems to have boosted confidence at a time when they needed it most.

His impact from the bench at Doncaster in the League Cup was key, while he showed some encouraging signs as he made his Premier League bow at Sheffield United in a 2-2 draw last time out. Now he’ll be keen to make his mark in front of his new fans.

While Premier League highlights for Everton have been few and far between so far, Arsenal have made a good start to the season with 10 points for a possible 12, even if they have not fully convinced.

Their failure to beat 10-man Fulham at home posed questions and they certainly had the rub of the green with refereeing decisions in their last outing at home to Manchester United.

They’ve also suffered extremely bad luck with new signing Jurrien Timber ruled out for virtually the entire campaign and Gabriel Jesus only just making his way back from injury.

They also will be waiting anxiously to see how defender Gabriel is after he was forced off during Brazil’s international victory over Bolivia.

Should he be used in his nation’s second qualifier against Peru in midweek, Arsenal’s fitness concerns will likely be very much eased.

So much in football is about confidence and if Arsenal score an early goal, this could be a miserable afternoon for Everton. Yet if the hosts strike first, expect sprits to lift and it’s then that Goodison can be as difficult a place to visit as any.

History

The two longest established top flight clubs, Arsenal have enjoyed a distinctive edge in their meetings over the years.

The Gunners have tasted victory on 110 occasions compared to the Toffees who have won 65 clashes with 46 draws.

Everton have actually won four of their last six against Arsenal, however, including that memorable victory last season courtesy of James Tarkowski’s goal.

Arsenal gained revenge a few short weeks later in a 4-0 romp at the Emirates when Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli (two) and Martin Odegaard were the scorers.

In December 2019, former Everton player Arteta was appointed Arsenal manager, just before the sides played out a goalless draw.

It’s six years since Arsenal won at Goodison – a 5-2 victory which resulted in the end of Ronald Koeman’s tenure on Merseyside.

Nacho Monreal, Mesut Özil, Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sánchez were their scorers that day with Wayne Rooney and Oumar Niasse on target for the home side.

Betting Tip

It’s an away banker as far as the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds are concerned.

You can back the Gunners in a variety of ways, including 1X2 @ 1.52 and Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.14.

The Toffees are priced 1X2 @ 4.90 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.00.

I would imagine many Evertonians would take a draw as it stands and level pegging will earn you a pay day of @ 4.20.

A repeat of February’s crucial win – Correct Score 1-0 – is available @ 17.00.

If Arsenal were to edge the contest by the same scoreline, the payout is @ 7.00.

You would imagine there will be a fair few goals in this one and available options range from total goal 0-1 @ 4.20, 2-3 @ 1.99 and 4-6 @ 2.93 to over 3.00 @ 2.11.

Right now, Everton need a boost but their confidence is below par.

I think they will hold out initially but there’ll be no repeat result.

 

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