Previews & Predictions. Here we go!
Friday is upon us and soon so will the Premier League weekend once more. It has been a long international break. A break that saw many first team regulars start and shine for the respective national teams. Trossard, Zinchenko and Ødegaard netting goals too confidence is bound to be high as we head into GW5.
Predicted Line Up:
The obvious question marks over the LCM role in the side remains. I for one prefer Fabio Vieira but clearly if history is anything to go by Mikel Arteta (a much wiser man than many of us) prefers Kai Havertz.
What Kai brings to the side is not just on the ball but off it too. Havertz is a quicker ball player with improved on the ball skill compared to last years LCM the one and only Granit Xhaka.
Mikel understood the game was evolving again and for teams who would readily sit in a low block against Arsenal. You would need quicker and more dynamic method of changing the pace of the game and changing the transition of defence to attack. Mikel sought out a player that would provide a quicker transition option with both playing the ball to feet and in the air. Kai can do this, and has been doing this in moments. He is simply lacking in confidence, hence Mikel once again asking the fans to back him and to support him.
The opposition:
Okay so full disclosure, I don’t like Everton. In my eyes they should have been relegated last season. I would want nothing more than to have Arsenal batter them at their home and remind them they are a championship side at best.
The arrogance of Pickford irks me to another degree. Let alone their manager and his tactical antics. However, that aside, they are a premier league team for the time being. As a certain Portuguese once said, there is never a normal weekend in the premier league. Everton is another side that must be taken seriously. Despite the fact they will attempt to play aggressive man football, and I for one am concerned. This is one of the few sides who in their low block play, will also play the man directly thus creating a high risk of key players getting injuries this game.
Arsenal have struggled away to Everton. With frustrating losses accumulating to only 1 win in the past 5 games at Goodison Park. Once again Arsenal come to this game in fine form, unbeaten through four games, their only blemish a disappointing 2-2 home draw against Fulham.
We all remember last year with Dyches first game in charge at Everton being a 1-0 loss for Mikels Gunners. This is certainly something we can expect him to make the squad aware of. Mikel tends to utilise emotions in his final pre match speech in the dressing room to galvanise the team to attack the opposition. I expect this to be the case again. Arsenal need to start strong and assertive to overcome a low block and a Goodison curse.
Key to winning
This man will shine if he gets a full 90. I expect Gabriel Jesus to start the game and to start strong! His quick feet, tricky dribbling and finishing ability was seen in the cameo against Manchester United last game week. He is determined to maintain such a positive start I see him getting a goal and being the key to Arsenal winning.
Jesus is simply levels ahead of Eddie. Who has been excellent in his run the past few weeks. But there’s levels to the game and we have to accept that this squad is better with him in it. The link up he provides with the midfield, the space he creates for both Saka and Martinelli to cut inside. He is a problem in a multitude of ways for defenders, who either attempt to man mark him and are muscled off or brushed aside with quick feet and trickery. Or he drops deep creating space for the wingers for or Martin Ødegaard to flourish. His impact is so great that he must be present in the XI even if he cannot maintain a full 90 as of yet.
Goodison Park has not been kind to Arsenal. Therefore a strong start to silence the crowd and remove them from the equation will be key.
The other key will be Arsenal not shutting off mentally for a full 90. Yes I’m talking to you Kai and Zinchenko. As long as we don’t create problems for ourself we should once again be dominant in possession and attack against a low block presented from Everton. Add in intelligent positional play to avoid some of those crunching tackles we can expect from a Dyche team. Arsenal have all the tools to win.
Conclusion
This is a game Arsenal need to win to continue their momentum and unbeaten start to the Prem. Goodison needs to be humbled and this monkey shaken off our backs. A strong aggressive start will certainly help to do just that! Mikel knows this of course, but he also knows he needs to keep his players fit and out of aggressive challenges. Expect a bright start with a few goals in the first half and a settled latter third of controlled possession to bring the game to a close.
Predicted POTM: Gabriel Jesus
Scoreline: Everton 0 – Arsenal 3
Suggested Bet: Gabriel Jesus anytime goal scorer
Written by Reekesh Somaroo