Everton Clash with Arsenal: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

Arsenal have the opportunity to claim the Premier League summit at Christmas with a win against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening.

The North London club are anxiously monitoring their position after what was once a substantial advantage has been reduced to merely two points by Manchester City. However, Arsenal understand that defeating Everton will ensure they maintain first position for at least several more days.

Mikel Arteta's squad has recorded consecutive wins following their heartbreaking loss to Aston Villa earlier this month, though they struggled in their 2–1 triumph over bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. Two deflections off opposing players were needed to defeat the Midlands team, with one arriving in the 94th minute.

Some vulnerabilities have emerged recently as Arsenal pursue glory across four competitions, with Everton hoping to exploit these weaknesses this weekend. The Merseyside club are never an easy opponent and start the weekend in ninth position, sitting just four points away from the Champions League places.

Everton have traditionally troubled the Gunners at Goodison Park, but can they replicate this success in their inaugural encounter at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium?

Here's Sports Illustrated's preview of the Merseyside clash.

What Time Does Everton vs. Arsenal Kick-Off?

Everton vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

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Everton Team News

Everton will be without several important players for the Arsenal fixture. Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are unavailable, having departed to join Senegal's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remains sidelined through injury.

Defensive stalwarts Séamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite continue their lengthy recoveries, though David Moyes has confirmed that Jack Grealish and Merlin Röhl are fit for the encounter with the Gunners.

Charly Alcaraz is set to feature in the attacking midfield role vacated by Dewsbury-Hall, while Tyler Dibling and Tim Iroegbunam are likely to step in for Ndiaye and Gueye respectively.

Everton Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal

Everton predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Garner; Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish; Barry.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal saw William Saliba return to action last week and Riccardo Calafiori will be available again after serving his suspension against Everton, though Arteta remains without three crucial defenders. Ben White has joined an injury list that already includes Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera.

Max Dowman and Kai Havertz are ruled out in attack, but Gabriel Jesus's recent comeback strengthens Arsenal's offensive options. The left flank will see competition between Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze for a starting position.

Martín Zubimendi was briefly uncertain for the match after missing training earlier this week, but the Spanish midfielder will be ready for the Merseyside trip.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Everton

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Everton (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiori; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyökeres, Eze.

Everton vs. Arsenal Score Prediction

Arsenal's typically solid defensive unit should face minimal challenges against an Everton offensive line depleted by the absence of key figures Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall. The Toffees already rank among the league's lowest scorers and their attacking struggles will be amplified by these significant omissions.

Arsenal will encounter a resolute Everton defensive setup and the Gunners have occasionally struggled against such organized defensive structures this campaign. Nevertheless, with Bukayo Saka operating on the right flank and an arsenal of set-piece variations at their disposal, they should find the breakthrough somehow.

Prediction: Everton 0–1 Arsenal