Everton vs Arsenal: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Where to Watch

Depends on Grealish's fitness but, if not available, I can see McNeil starting out left. If Grealish is fit, maybe McNeil can play midfield in place of Dewsbury-Hall. It will be a toss up between McNeil and Alcaraz.

I'm still not sure Moyes trusts Dibling and may prefer Alcaraz out wide.

I think so much depends on Grealish's fitness...

I personally would not mind seeing McNeil at Number 10 to see if Jack can set him up.

This is a real backs-to-the-wall game without Grealish, Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall.

KITAP1 has never been more appropriate.

I think they are about to enter their annual wobbling period. Let's give them a shove.

I'm trembling about Rice and Saka on corners. I'm quivering about Rice who must be in the running for Player of the Year.

This all said, I'm going for us to win 3-1. Barry 2, Rice OG.

COYB!

The winner following a scuffed shot from McNeil deflecting off Barry's knee in the 87th minute. Goal eventually given following a 9-minute VAR interruption to try and find a reason to disallow it.

Arteta raging about ‘dark forces' and a ‘deep state conspiracy' after the game. Or something.

Moysey went 2 up front in the last 4 minutes.

Hopefully his team selection should, and hopefully will, depend on Jack Grealish's actual fitness. If there is any niggle or doubt, he should be left out and rested for the future games, especially that cup game.

If he plays, Arsenal will target him and, as a Sly Six side, will get the benefit of the doubt in the systematic, tactical fouling of him. If he is fully fit, of course he should play.

If he is fit:

Pickford
O'Brien Tarkowski Keane Mykolenko
McNeil Garner Alcaraz Iroegbunam Grealish
Barry (or Beto -- makes no difference)

If he isn't:

Pickford
O'Brien Tarkowski Keane Mykolenko
Dibling Garner Alcaraz Iroegbunam McNeil
Barry (or Beto etc)

If we were playing anyone outside of Arsenal, Chelsea or Villa at the moment, I'd be reasonably confident that either of those sides could still give a good account of themselves, even without Ndiaye.

I don't do predictions as they usually bite me in the arse (English spelling, note) but I will never predict a loss. That said, I will be watching (in the pub) from behind several pints of anaesthetic Guinness.

Our 2 leading goal scorers are missing in Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye, so that doesn't bode well. There is still a doubt about Grealish being fit for the game; if he isn't and Dibling doesn't start, then the club have serious questions to answer, and I hope at least 1 journalist asks about Dibling's lack of game time.

The positives are Mykolenko usually has a good game against Saka, our back 4 are pretty solid, but I have to wonder where will our goals come from. Playing with either Barry or Beto is like playing with 10 men, and I hope that we sign a proper striker when the window opens and the choice is solely Moyes's and not our appaling recruitment team.

I am sure our crowd will be extra brilliant tomorrow knowing how depleted we will be this team will need our backing. Also looking forward to what the 1878 group are doing with the South Stand.

Is our recruitment team in place now? Who are they?
And are there any firm rumours of incoming in the window?

I think the team comprises:

Angus Kinnear, CEO;
Nick Cox, Technical Director, ex Man Utd;
James Smith, head of scouting, ex Man City;
Nick Hammond, head of strategy; and of course...
David Moyes.

We are told by our CEO that the team works as a committee in a flatter structure.

The team was assembled late, and in some cases beyond last window, but have had a full compliment for over 3 months now. It is reported that, like numerous other teams, our team is heavily data and analytics based.

What's coming our way in January is anybody's guess. I hope we have a clear plan, I hope we have taken soundings on realistic targets (loan or acquisition), not chasing players who are unachievable.

It's a difficult market in January, but I think we should be seeking to add sensibly.

ATB

I would love to meet any and all ToffeeWeb regulars over a pint or ten before and after the game. Where would you suggest to go to fulfil the plan stated above?

I'm jealous!

And oh yeah, Stoichkov was the one who lit up football for me.

Enjoy the game!

With such a small squad the team virtually picks itself with the only debate being Dibling or McNeil, Ironbaugham or Rohl or a rotation of them.

McNeill seems to have lost a lot of pace following his injury last year but does pose a goal threat and the game may well be slow paced and tight.

Rohl has looked good and bad in his two appearances so may well be on the bench.

Dibling is an enigma. Is he really a 40m player or not. I guess we should find out in this game.

The only other debate is Barry or Beto or dare I suggest it a false 9 (Alcaraz?). It is better than playing with 10 men.

Just don't concede any goals, Everton.

It's kind of a fan park (but indoors) and has live, Everton themed music before and after the game. Great atmosphere, especially if we win! There are also a couple of other venues down the same strip, if Ten Streets gets too busy.

I hope you enjoy the game -- I wish I was there.

Good news that Gealish plays, but I got the impression watching Moyes that Rohl will not start the game. I don't think you can expect him to.

The team keeps surprising me with results -- I get it wrong almost every game, so I'm not going to venture a prediction this time. It does seem like the odds are stacked against us for this one though.

I'm just hoping for the best. I would start with Barry for 45 minutes and then bring on Beto. I think he will pick McNeil before Dibling, but then it will depend how the game's going when he brings the lad on.

I haven't given up on Dibling because of the way he has performed on the brief minutes he has played, I think he has got to be much better than that but he definitely isn't ready yet, even with this depleted squad.

Put him on the bench but be careful about putting him on the field at the moment even though we are desperate.

My team:

Pickford
O'Brien Tarkowski Keane Mykolenko
Garner Iroegbunam
Alcaraz McNeil Grealish
Barry

Subs: Travers, Patterson, Aznou, Branthwaite, Rohl, Dibling, Beto

Arsenal have been lucky this season. Like the RS, I hope their luck runs out, hopefully tonight.

I find it very difficult trying to be optimistic with Moyes at the helm, and I really cannot see us getting another point until 2026.

Weird!

If it's still 0-0 on 85 minutes, they should then stand next to Arsenal's goalposts and confuse their goal as to how wide the goal is! Good strategy, right?

So it’s going to be a tough game.

I hope we win.

season in the Premier League last year and was considered to be

worth north of £40 million. For heavens sake let him start a game.

A couple of months back, Moyes said of Dibling he needs to up his fitness. Well, if we haven't got him fit now -- having signed him in the summer -- then something is wrong.

I get the impression that Moyes didn't want Dibling and, by not playing him, he is sending a message to The Friedkin Group this is what happens when you let your recruitment team buy players.

I think as summer transfers go, our purchases of Barry, Dibling and Aznou leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully the manager was allowed to bring in Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish, the only 2 summer additions that have made a difference.

Finally why are British football fans putting up with more awful kick off times? 8.00 pm on a Saturday...

We need to take lessons from the German fans: when Sky Germany tried to introduce Monday night games, they boycotted the first games. Within a week, Sky Germany said there would be no more Monday games.

I want to see more of Dibling as he looked great on the ball in a poor Saints team last season. I don't see them train and, let's face it, he isn't getting in there above Ndiaye or Grealish.

There is an opportunity for him over the next few weeks, maybe not tonight, as Moyes will play a deep block and hope for a counter, so I expect McNeil to start.

Big opportunity for Alcaraz tonight as I think he should have got more game time than he has up to now. He wants to impact games rather than safety first.

The first goal could be the winner tonight.

Dibling did start a game v Crystal Palace (at home). Most fans in the ground or watching the game elsewhere knew he wouldn't be coming back on for the second half. He was in awe or overwhelmed by being on the pitch and couldn't come to grips with the game in any shape or form.

I think he also started in that disastrous, for Moyes and us fans, game v Wolves in the League Cup, only two games I know but he hasn't done much in the few scarce minutes he has played since, hopefully in time he will prove the potential he has will come to the fore.

In the meantime, Arsenal have played a young 16-year-old right winger occasionally and he's done quite well. Maybe it is a case of personalities, every player is different, the young Arsenal lad has taken to the game like he can't get enough of it and wants to be there.

Dibling seems like he can't believe he is playing for us. I wish he had the personality of Ndiaye who knows and feels like he is as good as any player in Everton's squad, and better than most of them.

Can Jack Grealish play on the right, giving the left-side berth to Dwight McNeil who will need to work a double shift to really help out Mykolenko and then get up in support if we manage to break?

Alcaraz will need to provide a humongous amount of support for ‘Bareto' when the ball is pinged forwards for recurrent aerial duelling.

If we keep them out for the first half, I think they could feel the pressure, following on from the too-close-for-comfort contest against Wolves.

Come on, you confounding Blues; give us an astounding victory!

He likes to come inside on the left a lot, but has the ability to go on the outside and stand up a cross with his weaker foot.

It is a lopsided squad when Ndiaye, Alcaraz, McNeil, and Grealish all play better off the left, and we've little from the right.

I've never been convinced by McNeil on the right personally.
It's odd that we've seen so little of Dibling, given the outlay, and the fact he is not short of Premier League experience. Yes, he is behind Ndiaye and Grealish... but I expected more minutes by now.

I'm in the camp of believing he was a transfer committee purchase, future investment. I'm not convinced he'd be a Moyes purchase if he was the sole decision maker. Just my view.

Especially as he played in the Premier League with Southampton.

It is the time of year for miracles after all!