Arsenal host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday evening in what is a crucial encounter for Mikel Arteta’s team’s title hopes, and Paul Merson has had his say on what he expects to materialise in the clash at the Emirates.
The Gunners were lucky to escape with a draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, producing a poor performance that was saved by a late Kai Havertz penalty. Regardless, they remain in a strong position to progress into the next round of the Champions League, and are still on course for an unprecedented quadruple.
Everton will head to North London having enjoyed a much-needed eleven-day break. The Toffees strolled to a 2-0 victory at home to Burnley in their last fixture, and currently sit eighth in the English top flight, just four points behind rivals Liverpool.
David Moyes’ outfit will likely keep the game in N5 tight, although Arsenal should have too much for them on home soil.
Paul Merson makes Arsenal vs Everton prediction
Gabby Agbonlahor was critical of Arsenal’s performance at Leverkusen, labelling Arteta’s side ‘terrible’ and ‘boring’. The former Aston Villa striker wasn’t the only prominent pundit left unimpressed with what the Gunners produced at the BayArena.
Writing for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson lamented Arsenal’s display in Germany. However, the ex-Arsenal forward also issued a stark warning to Everton, claiming that the Merseysiders will be easily beaten if they ‘fall off’ in certain patches at the Emirates.
| Position in xG table | Team | Pld | NPxGF | NPxGA | NPxGD/90 |
| 1 | Arsenal | 30 | 47.6 | 20.9 | 0.89 |
“Everton are a funny team,” he wrote.
“They play some good football away from home and are often hard to beat on their travels. It’s crazy how they sometimes get ripped to shreds in games and still get a result!
“Arsenal haven’t been great in recent weeks. My god, they were lucky to get that draw against Bayer Leverkusen. They don’t play free-flowing football.
“Take Chelsea for instance, even though they lost to PSG, they had a real go and showed some firepower. But you won’t see that with Arsenal. It’s impossible to think they would score two or three goals in a game.
“I expect Arsenal to be far too good for Leverkusen at the Emirates. But at the moment, I’m still a bit worried about them. If that was a league game they drew, they would be in trouble.
“This will be a tough game for Arsenal. My only problem with Everton is that they haven’t produced a proper 90-minute display while winning games. They only play well in patches. If they fall off for even 30 or 45 minutes against Arsenal, it’s game over!
“I expect a tight game, but Arsenal to edge it just.”
Merson’s Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Arsenal should comfortably dispatch of Everton
Everton’s current standing in the Premier League table perhaps flatters them when looking at their performance levels. In the expected goals difference table, the Toffees are much more akin to a side of Nottingham Forest’s level.
Moyes has been able to maximise Everton’s threat from dead-ball situations, while his team produces very little in open play. If the Gunners can minimise the number of corners and free-kicks the away side gets at the Emirates, then they should be able to nullify them.
| Position in xG table | Team | Pld | NPxGF | NPxGA | NPxGD/90 |
| 15 | Everton | 29 | 33.1 | 38.8 | -0.19 |
It should merely be a matter of whether the North Londoners can break Everton down. The north-west outfit have been relatively solid defensively this season, closing space well at the back end of the pitch and not allowing teams to play through them with ease.
While Arsenal should find a way to unlock Everton’s defence over the course of 90 minutes, it could be something of a slog.
