Everton head coach David Moyes has a huge formation decision to make for Saturday’s Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Owing to their premature FA Cup exit, the Toffees will have had 11 days in between matches since their 2-0 home victory over Burnley, having had no fifth-round commitments to attend to.
Moyes should therefore have an identical squad from the beating of the Clarets, with the possible addition of Seamus Coleman following a knock, but Jack Grealish and Carlos Alcaraz are still sidelined.
Regardless of Coleman’s involvement, Moyes has the option to switch to a five-at-the-back system with Michael Keane, at the potential expense of Dwight McNeil, in a bid to frustrate the hosts to no end. However, while the Toffees are pursuing European football and Arsenal are far from watertight at the back, Moyes should persist with the tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 shape, albeit with Thierno Barry leading the line again as opposed to Beto.
Predicting Everton lineup vs Arsenal
Boasting four goal involvements from his last five Premier League games, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will act as the visitors’ attacking focal point once more, stationed in front of Idrissa Gueye and James Garner.
Jordan Pickford made outrageous saves against both Burnley and Newcastle United, but if he lets at least two goals on Saturday, he will become just the ninth Premier League goalkeeper to concede 500 goals in the competition.
The extended break between matches gives Moyes time to prepare his tactics carefully. Arsenal enter the match as league leaders and overwhelming favourites.
Everton must decide whether to prioritize defensive solidity or maintain their attacking threat that has served them well in recent weeks.
Moyes appears likely to stick with Barry as his striker despite Beto providing an alternative option.
Barry’s mobility and link-up play suit Everton’s counter-attacking approach better than Beto’s more physical style. Dewsbury-Hall’s recent form makes him indispensable in the attacking midfield role behind Barry.
The midfield duo of Gueye and Garner provides the defensive shield Everton will need at the Emirates. Their discipline and positioning will be crucial in limiting Arsenal’s creative players. McNeil’s retention in the starting lineup suggests Moyes favours attacking width over defensive numbers.
Everton predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry
