Everton face a significant test of their away form this Saturday when they travel to face second-placed Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Toffees are looking to respond after their unbeaten start to the season was ended by a 2-0 home loss to Chelsea last weekend, with Pedro Neto scoring both goals for the visitors. David Moyes's side currently sit eighth in the Premier League with 10 points from seven games, having recorded two wins and four draws, and they have drawn all three of their away matches so far this campaign. Their overall record shows eight goals scored and seven conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus one. They are 11 points behind the league leaders, Manchester City.
Arsenal present a formidable challenge, having won each of their three Premier League home games this season and claiming six consecutive top-flight victories at the Emirates. The Gunners are also unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Everton across all competitions. Everton's last victory over Arsenal came in February 2023, when a James Tarkowski goal secured a 1-0 win at the Emirates.
Key absences and tactical changes
Both sides have selection issues to address. Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka after the forward sustained a quad injury in the Champions League. Manager Mikel Arteta described the prognosis as "doesn't look good at all." For Everton, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to be replaced at right-back by Jake O'Brien following a difficult performance in the Chelsea defeat. Everton's attack will be led by Thierno Barry, who is the club's top scorer this season with three Premier League goals in seven appearances.
Everton's recent fixtures show a mixed run of form, with two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five outings, a sequence that reads loss, draw, win, win, draw. Moyes will hope his team can exploit any fatigue from Arsenal's midweek European trip to Germany, where they drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich. The manager has emphasised the need for players like Barry and Tarkowski to make a difference in both boxes. Everton's defensive record on the road has been tight in the first half of matches this season, a trend they will need to maintain against an Arsenal side with one of the best expected-goal numbers in the division. The match kicks off at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 24 October.
