Arsenal Look to Stay on Top by Toppling Everton | OneFootball

It’s another late kickoff for Arsenal as they travel to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time to take on Everton. As Mikel Arteta celebrates his six-year anniversary as Arsenal boss, he will take on his own former manager in David Moyes, who has settled into his second stint at the helm of Everton. The Toffees head into the weekend in the top half of the table despite last week’s loss to Chelsea, and three points would see them in good stead for their remaining two games in 2025.  

Arsenal need to steady the ship

Three weeks ago, Arsenal were sitting at the top of the table with a five-point cushion between them and Manchester City. Since then, they have dropped points at Villa Park thanks to a late winner from Emiliano Buendia and produced arguably their worst performance of the season against bottom-of-the-table Wolves, even though they managed to snatch three points.

Arteta was critical of his team following a “passive” performance against Wolves which displayed “horrible defensive habits”. Having started the season with the most solid defence in the league, Arsenal have now conceded first in their last three league games, and have only managed to keep a clean sheet in one of the last six. 

They have had to deal with several injuries to their back line, with Ben White, Christhian Mosquera and Gabriel still missing, and William Saliba only recently returning to steer the back four. They will also recover Riccardo Calafiori for the trip up north, who returns from a one-match suspension.

A win on Saturday evening would keep them ahead of Manchester City, who have slowly but surely been narrowing the gap on their rivals. City could be top by the time Now just two points behind Arsenal thanks to a run of four wins on the trot, they are piling on the pressure, and could even go top of the table for a few hours should they beat West Ham before kickoff on Merseyside.

Moyes hoping to frustrate Arsenal again

Ahead of the fixture, Arteta spoke of the “gratitude and admiration” that he has for Moyes, who was the Spaniard’s manager for six years while he was a player at Everton. 

“I think he’s a remarkable man,” he said. “The way he manages the club, the people, his players, he’s outstanding and I’m very grateful for everything that he did for me and for Everton as well.”

Although the two managers met several times while Moyes managed West Ham, this is only the second time they will face off since Moyes’ return to Everton. In April, the Toffees held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park, thanks to Iliman Ndiaye’s second-half penalty.

They have a good home record against Arsenal, having only lost one of their last seven against the Gunners. Although the Goodison Park factor no longer applies, they will hope to cost the league leaders valuable points in the title race again this season. 

A win could also really improve their position in the table, as although they are currently in ninth, they only sit two points behind fifth-placed Crystal Palace on 26 points. Moyes has been open about the excitement of being able to compete for European places, and recognised the “big progress” his side had made recently. 

“Things are better – better results, better performances, players are doing well. So we want to try to keep that positive feeling up,” he said. “Every win gives you that feeling you have a chance to make Europe. Every defeat makes you think, ‘hey, let’s just behave ourselves a little bit and think a bit clearer’. That’s just the way the Premier League is this season.”

Who will come out on top?

Questions will be asked of Arteta and his side if they can’t produce a more convincing performance against Everton. A loss in momentum now, as the ever-looming Man City begin to find their rhythm, could damage Arsenal’s title hopes considerably, but the Toffees will need to stand up and show that they are worthy of reaching European football for the first time since 2018.