Arsenal vs Everton

One Arsenal player I'm interested to see is Torreira. I really wanted us to sign him this Summer as a step towards fixing our soft Centre. He combines the best athleticism and nuisance value of Gueye with the more intelligent and accurate passing of Schniederlin. In other words I reckoned he might be the complete type of midfielder that we still lack. Hope he proves me wrong tomorrow.

In terms of our team I think/hope we will play more compact and try to catch them on the counter with our quite considerable pace. For that reason I'd be interested in starting DCL up front. He's far from polished but he's our top goalscorer so far and (surprisingly) clocked as one of the quickest players in the league. There are/will be arguments to start Richarlison up front but why move him when he's been so effective on the left? There should be plenty of space for DCL to run into behind and Arsenal's Centre backs are not the fastest.

In the middle I think we need Gueye's energy and Schneiderlin's distribution. Not an ideal pairing but I just don't see better options currently. I'd give Bernard a go in the 10 as I think his pace and ability to beat a man could be crucial in setting off effective counters. Siggy could play deeper at the expense of Schneiderlin but not Gueye as we need his energy.

In defense it's fairly clear except in the case of Mina's fitness. When watching him for Colombia I always thought he looked a solid defender who might just struggle against agile, fast accelerating forwards with good movement. So Arsenal away would be baptism of fire! But if he's fit then I think he should show us what he can do. Otherwise Holgate gets a chance to redeem himself.

Pickford
Kenny Mina Zouma Digne
Gueye Schneiderlin
Walcott Bernard Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

Back four - Kenny, Mine, Zouma, Digne.

I would swap Bernard in for Schneiderlin because he will provide some guile in the middle of the park.

Mid field 3 of Gueye, Bernard, and Sigurddson.

I would persist with Tosun, who I think will score this week, in a front 3 of Walcott, Tosun, and Richarlison.

Stick with Tosun - he'll score this week.

We have not won this fixture since 1996 (well documented but thought I'd mention anyway) and being more precise, in 22 years we have taken just four points from this fixture, draws in 2006, 2010, 2013 (twice).

That is a completely appalling shameful return for an established Premier League club like us, the type of return you'd expect from Southampton.

Well Marco and the players here is the chance to show us how much you learned from last weeks schooling by the Hammers.

Whoever plays needs to have belief in themselves, we can harp on about formations and all that but if we don't see a change in mentality tomorrow at our perennial bogey ground then I fail to see what actually has changed even in the slightest way.

Very concerned about this one, Best of luck to all the blues going down because conceed early and it'll be cringworthy stuff.

Still, we live in in hope.

Bernard was very good last week - but I'd play him off the bench again this week. The reason for this is that Richarlison is very good at defense, as well as attack & his physicality and workrate down the left could be very important against Arsenal.

I would go Calvert-Lewin up top - although I would not mind persisting with Tosun. It takes time for players to learn the tactics and methods of a coach & we need to persist.

If Mina is fit to start, I would give him the start - however I think that Keane is more likely to start, if his head injury is fully recovered.

Therefore my line-up would be:

Pickford
Kenny Mina/Keane Zouma Digne
Gueye Schneiderlin
Walcott Sigurdsson(c) Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

Stekelenburg, Mina/Keane, Baines, Davies, Bernard, Lookman, Tosun

If we take the lead - get Davies into the midfield to get it nice & compact & get Tosun up top with siggy & bernard working hard behind him:

Pickford
Kenny Mina/Keane Zouma Digne
Gueye Schneiderlin Davies
Sigurdsson Bernard
Tosun

Need to see a reaction and players putting in a shift. That's not too much to demand from us fans.

Pickford
Holgate Mina Zouma
Kenny Gueye Schneiderlin Digne
Sigurdsson
Walcott Richarlison

Subs: Stekelenburg, Baines, Davies, Bernard, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Tosun

Walcott and Richarlison are both proven to be decent up top – and this would give us a lot more solidity at the back & in midfield.

Also allows us to easily shift formation to a 4 at the back.

Also, I would start Niasse and ask him to run wild for 60 minutes to drain everything away from the Arsenal defense. Then bring in Walcott for the final 30 and we could surprise them.

Digne Mina Zouma Baines
Gueye
Bernard Siggy Richarlison
Niasse Tosun

I think people are getting confused between a good athlete and a good footballer which he is not. He is no better now than when he came into the team two years ago. He has scored 6 goals in 47 appearances.
Tosun needs to be omitted as his confidence has gone.

Stiffen the defence, keep the pace and use Calvert-Lewin as best option for holding up the ball and getting his head on a cross. He looks slightly more likely than Tosun at the moment to get a goal, until he was played out of position last week he has been doing good work.

Mina and Zouma can deal will the aerial threat and Holgate will be an asset with his pace and ability to bring the ball out of defence. This set up will give him a discretionary licence to do that and still have cover behind him. In effect a link between defence and midfield.

Gana did not play well last week but I still prefer him to Schneiderlin who continues to disappoint me. I don't think he offers enough in any of the midfield disciplines. He falls short and I think we need to address it and stop hoping things will improve or change. They won't.

Sigurdsson needs to be involved a whole lot more, this role in the centre means he will have no choice.

As a few have said there is potential in this game for us, we have great players who can match Arsenal's. With the right team set up and full on motivation we can shock them.

Buoyed by all the positive things happening at the club, the new manager and signings, and Richarlisons performance's, my expectations have been, once again, unduly unrealistic.

Last week we had so many key players injured, or sitting it out. And important signings yet to play. Another factor, which has been mentioned, is the individual displays. So many had a "bad day at the office". Bernard's performance was the only positive for me.

Tomorrow will be a much sterner test. But we will be fielding, virtually a different team, if you know what I mean. We are certainly a different team when Richarlison and Digne are on the left, both in attack and defence. And talking of defence, like everyone else, I hope Silva is true to his words regarding our frailties. Mina can make a huge difference in that respect and his presence will boost Zoumas confidence too.

Players like Mina and Richarlison can lift the team. The exact opposite of what happened last week. In a team game, confidence, or the lack of it, is highly contagious.

In many respects we've got nothing to lose. The world, and many Evertonians if the truth be known, expect us to lose. We're like West Ham going into last Sunday's game.

So if we get anything out of it, or at least make it a competitive game, and perhaps bloody their noses, it will be a big plus and a much-needed confidence booster for the team.

COYBs

We need someone to occupy a couple of weak centre-backs and Calvert-Lewin is just the man to do it and allow Walcott and Richarlison some space down the flanks.

With the right approach, I see us getting at least a point in this one although anything resembling the West Ham performance and we will be suitably hammered.

Set pieces weren't tested last game, so I'm still looking to see improvement there. A Mina introduction into the centre-back line would be interesting, as well as a full game for Bernard. Digne was the best Everton player against West Ham, so it will be interesting to see how capable he is.

We need the defensive shape we had against wolves. Sit deep and look to hit them on the break. With 11 men we'd be even more effective.

Silva made his name beating better sides with underdogs. He was the one to end fonsecas reign by taking Porto's 5-year unbeaten home record with Estoril. He downed Arsenal in the Champions League with the Greeks. He beat Liverpool and Man Utd with Hull. This is where we can see the best of Silva. We will beat teams in the Sky 6 at their own grounds this season. Let's start at the Emirates.

Gooners to left of me, Gooners to right of me down here.

Lyndon's line-up is unlikely, but it's certainly interesting.

The boy is fully committed and plenty of endeavour, he is also a good athlete. However, he is a gash footballer, I am surprised some Evertonians don't see that. We are supposed to have a decent knowledge of the beautiful game

Pickford
Kenny, Mina, Zouma, Digne
Sigurdsson, Gana, Davies
Walcott, Richarlison, Bernard

Bench: Stekelenburg, Baines, Keane, Schneiderlin, Niasse, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Lookman

This gives us pace and movement up front, creativity in midfield and height, strength and pace at the back. I haven't put Tosun on the bench because I think he needs a break to regain his form. I have put Davies back in because he gives us creativity, energy and running box to box.

I think Holgate is a better full-back than centre-back, so he could play at right back and Keane could be used instead of Zouma but that would reduce our pace at the back although we could go to a three at the back and push Kenny and Digne to half-backs. Gives us plenty of width but risks them getting behind us.

I wonder what the 21-year-old Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray, Bob Latchford or Joe Royle would have looked like if they were selected to play wide left? Flying down the wing beating men with mazy dribbles? Give the lad a break and be horrible to the opposition players instead!

For tomorrow, I would be tempted by three at the back which might plug those gaps we allowed to West Ham. The full-backs are excellent going forward and, with Richarlison and Theo, we will carry some threat down the flanks.
Midfield is a big problem with Sigurdsson not really in the game and Gana's passing so poor.

Pickford
Mina Holgate Zouma
Kenny Schneiderlin Gana Bernard Digne
Walcott Calvert-Lewin
Walcott

I think the question you should ask, for a club with top 6 aspirations, is would a player be in the first team of any of other top clubs? Who on here thinks Calvert-Lewin, Niasse and Davies, and for that matter Tosun, would be please?

That said, Brands spoke of 3 windows, not 1. So you have to make the best of what you've got.

Of course Football is all about opinions. But the huge gulf in views on certain players surprises me. How some of us think certain players are so poor and yet others think they're good, or not as bad as we're making out. It's like we're watching different games!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not crass enough to think I'm always right and others are wrong – it's just my opinion based on what I saw. I respect the views of others. Often, postings on TW provide a different perspective and consider things I hadn't thought of. Which is why I enjoy reading them and putting my own views. (And the really witty posts which make me laugh so much!!)

BTW. On Tosun's confidence. I think he's more resilient than many give him credit for. I think it's frustration as much as anything.

Even when he's played down the middle (Calvert-Lewin) his limitations are laid bare.

A quality striker would have trapped that diagonal ball from Gana last Sunday and took the ball in his stride and got a shot away, it just bounced off the lads foot.

There are games he looks capable, mainly against the Rotherham's, Huddersfield's, Sunderland's in Cup matches etc.

That for me is the level Calvert-Lewin will find his feet at and probably forge a decent career.

Much like over the years other young strikers who at 21 and in fairness probably offered far more promise than Calvert-Lewin, the fervent clamour for Danny Cadamarteri, Franny Jeffers, Michael Branch to name just three proves that most find their level much lower down and fair play to them I'm not knocking it just seeing it from a realistic point.

If Calvert-Lewin was 26 and we'd just signed him from Blackburn or someone we would be going on about him much in the same vein we spoke of Jermaine Beckford, honest grafter nothing more.

Quoting Sharp, Gray, and Latchford can also be turned to Rooney, or two other Evertonians who turned to the dark side in Fowler and Owen. all well established by 21.

Just seen I missed off Richarlison from my team above: Calvert-Lewin to start on the bench with Theo and Richi roaming up front!

Good team though.

The lad could be class if he can improve his finishing. The technique seems to be lacking, but it could also be a confidence thing. He's snatching at his shots instead of just acting naturally. If he can develop the mental side of his game and suddenly develop those finishing skills then the sky is the limit for this lad.

He's only 21. He scored the winner an U20 World Cup Final a year ago. Let's see how he develops and give him some backing. If he never develops the finishing skills, then he's still a very useful player can lead the line and bring the likes of Walcott and Richarlison into play and let them get the goals.

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Zouma Baines
Gueye Schneiderlin
Walcott Sigurdsson Richarlison
Tosun

Pickford
Digne Kenny Mina (if fit) Zouma
Schneiderlin
Davies Bernard
Richarilson Calvert-Lewin Walcott

Bench: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Baines, Gana, Dowell, Lookman, Tosun

If all Silva can come up with is to copy his doomed predecessors with the same pathetic tactics, then I don't want him here. We don't look any better than we were under Allardyce or Koeman and that's because we are not trying to do anything different.

It's an embarrassing joke... Just like all the injured players Silva brought to the club. Only at Everton.

Whether he is good enough to be a long-term top 4- or 6-level striker is another's matter. Given the responsibility and a run in the side there will be more improvement to come. He deserves his chance at making the position his own. Only then will we find out whether he has got what it takes. It's a harsh environment, we need a 20+ goal striker to be even near to being competitive in this league. Anything below that will be questioned as whether it is good enough based on other aspects of their game, assists etc.

Your view?

I'm just wondering how long the grieving process should take for professional footballers when they have lost a parent 3 days, 5 days, a few years. He shouldn't spend too long wallowing in his loss. After all, he has a ball to kick around a field.

Allardyce tried something similar, including fielding a new player in one of the centre back roles - Mangala alongside Williams and Keane, with Cuco Martin and Jonjo Kenny the wing backs.

1-0 in 6 minutes
2-0 in 14 minutes
3-0 in 19 minutes
4-0 in 37 minutes

Wholesale changes at half-time, reverting back to a flat back four. A training session for the Arse in the 2nd half.

I would hope Silva doesn't repeat the mistake.

Do Premier League sides suffer after Champions League & Europa League matches?

I would give Tosun a half to see if he can sort himself out if not Calvert-Lewin on

I would bin Schneiderlin and play Siggy deeper alongside Gueye as he offers more defensively and passing wise.

Try Bernard in the No 10 Sigurdsson role

We have to ensure that Walcott and Richie cover Kenny and Digne as soon as we lose the ball.

We've had yet another week where Silva can sort this lot out. Mina has had a full week with the team so please no excuses.
Please, no gung-ho football again and fingers crossed for a point!

I just don't think the Gana - Morgan axis works, indeed we have seen it fail on numerous occasions.

Then however we need a strong and balanced midfield centre which we don't have. We've been toothless up top too but maybe Richarlison will awaken Tosun again. I'd rather Bernard keep his place. Questions all the place but I'm not expecting too many changes because we are a different team with Richarlison. The way Arsenal leave themselves open I'm expecting us to score... but now many we let in is anyone's guess.

If we lose 4-0 and we are all over the place, then I will be concerned. I know it's going to be a long job and we have to be patient but we must see signs of change to have any hope for the future soon.

Since the end of the eighties, we have been a shadow of the club we once were.

I agree that Calvert-Lewin is not our greatest footballer. His passing stats this season are pretty woeful but I don't expect us to be trying to hold onto the ball for long periods against Arsenal. I expect quick counter attacks with maybe just one or two passes before hopefully creating chances. In such a game and with such tactics I think Calvert-Lewin's athleticism is better suited than Tosun's superior footballing skills.

like Silva, I think it's the latter !

I have never left the ground thinking he had a good game. He will never be a Premier League player IMO.

Liam tell your wife I am sorry I woke her up.

My list of “most embarrassing moments” is getting a lot longer lately.

Nurse!

Subs: - Baines, Zouma, DCL, Walcott, Gueye, Baningime, Davies

Siver likes to play 4-4-2 and I don't see him changing for this game, obviously I'm guessing McCarthy and Keane are fit? Mina and Keane are possibly going to be the long-term paring centre backs and need to start playing together, I feel McCarthy offers more protection for those on the right, if he's not fit I would play Davies, again because he offers more protection. I would hope the front two of Bernard and Tosun would rotate and cause lots of problems with their movement and ball skills, I feel Tosun just need that goal to kick him on.

Leaving Wacott out is a tough call, when he is going forward at speed he is very exciting, but he has given the ball away far too much for me, his tracking back this season has been very poor and at time when it breaks down its has been from the right-side putting Coleman/Kenny and the defence under pressure.

We have suffered badly with bad luck and poor refereeing in my opinion this season, hopefully, all being well things will turn in-our favour and we will start to pick up, starting with this game!

Everton to win 3-1, COYBLUES

I'm hoping for a bit of an unorthodox one...

3 centre backs - Holgate, Zouma and Mina. This provides cover for when the full backs get forward and also gives us the added height for set pieces with our lovely zonal marking. It also provides cover for any ‘rush of blood' moments like the last game from Holgate and Zouma.

2 wing backs - Kenny and Digne.

Here's where I think we should change.

3 midfielders (no number 10) - Davies, Gueye and Baines. Before I get shot down for this I think it could have a positive effect on the team in 2 ways.

Firstly - Baines is a defender, so will naturally take up defensive positions, he can also read a game fairly well. In this respect he's no worse than Schneiderlin. He won't play 30/40 yard passes, but he can ping 20 yard balls to feet and rarely loses it here. He's comfortable on the ball and is used to passing and moving - which Schneiderlin isn't. I don't see him, as a player, being any worse than Schneiderlin.

Secondly - Tom Davies has grown up an Everton fan. Now although he has played with Baines many a time, lining up with him in midfield would be like playing with the closest thing we've had to a hero in 10 years. Tom will up his game. In addition, we have a soft team - I think Baines could be the answer to this. I'm not saying Baines is a hard aggressive footballer - but he doesn't back down. With 3 big centre backs behind him and the effect I think that Baines in the centre will have on Davies and Kenny, I think we will have a core 6 players who will not back down from a skirmish and solve the soft centre we currently have.

Up front - Walcott and Richarlison. These 2 have pace and will occupy 3 Arsenal defenders all the time as they will be wary of their pace. In addition, they will naturally pull out to wider positions, giving defenders the headache of staying with them or not. When Arsenal attack it will be 8 on 7 in our favour as they won't leave Walcott and Richarlison, when we counter we have to hope that the wing backs and Davies get up to support them.

It won't be pretty, but this midfield 3 won't leave Arsenal alone and Arsenal won't be able to afford to leave our from two alone.

If it goes tits up, we can always bring on £92 million worth of talent (?) in Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson and Tosun.

Expect the usual result. But we hope for the best. Just let's have a fucking go for a change, lads!!!

If TW is an indication of how the supporters feel than it is clear that for the most part patience with Calvert-Lewis has run out. He is not a smart footballer and is not up to the PL.

He should go back to the club that play a system that suits him better, that has a great record in recent times of developing young talent and plays in the Champions League and we should get what we can for him.

Then we can go on to discuss the next young Everton player who is not good enough for us.

Persisting with Gueye/Schneiderlin providing threadbare defensive cover for a weak CB pairing with Sigurdsson providing creativity is letting optimism triumph over experience big style. Richarlison cannot do the job of five players.

Only hope is that the Arse have their worst off-day in years and Richarlison can sneak one in the 94th minute as we cannot even defend a two goal lead for 10 minutes.

I'm afraid it will be business as usual. Ritual humiliation and 3 or 4 nil to Arsenal. Depressing, but based on over 20 years previous experience. Still praying to Alex Young for divine intervention though. COYB - just for once prove me completely wrong - please.

Like Silva has said in the press I'd be as happy to see a clean sheet as much as anything else, hopefully Mina will start and make a great impact.

I think this game is make or break for Tosun as a starter if he can't bully and make an impact against a small centre half in Mustafi then he's showed his level.

I can see Richarlison playing up front and Bernard on the left if Tosun doesn't get his finger out.

I disagree that there is "too much criticism".

This a forum for fans to express their views. Those with an alternative opinion have just as much right as the next to voice it. And argue their point.

Resorting to sarcasm does not help others to see things from your perspective, nor to reflect on what you've said.

For what it's worth - nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to be wrong about this young man. At the end of the day - we all want the same thing.

And to be honest I've not been beyond ranting and raving myself on a matchday in recent times. Particularly last season.

In the middle, it doesn't really matter what pair combination of Davies, Gueye, Sneiderlin is chosen, all 3 are not of the required standard for a top team. I'm nervous about Bernard too, as he looks very lightweight, albeit only seen him for an hour so far.

Then there's the disorganised defence...

I've talked myself into not watching now.

The way the referees blow up these days he will draw a lot of fouls and can glide past players at ease.

Absolute madness not to play him.

Arsenal away has always been a poor return for us, apart from the very odd time we have got something from the match.

Every time I see Schneiderlin on the team sheet, my spirit goes down, I just don't see what he brings to the table, that a cardboard cut-out in his place couldn't.

Gana and Davies have come in for criticism recently, some of it justified, mainly with the passing aspect of their game.

Both in my opinion do give a lot of energy and commitment which will be needed today.

Holgate Mina Zouma Digne

Gana
Siggy

Walcott Richarlison

Bernard

Tosun

Now... advice please

A) is it acceptable to be approximately 50 minutes late to your own birthday meal!???

B). Sky Go on my phone at the table

C) Suck it up

I have 100% zero confidence in away games at Arsenal and after spending an inordinate amount of money going to the Emirates last season to see us get thumped 5-1 (I left when the 4th went in), I've passed on going there ever again!

I never predict lineups, or scores but I will predict another hefty defeat today.

Today I'm going to watch Everton play at Arsenal. I imagine my wife will ask me the same questions as last night and I will give the same answers. Sigh.

I know some posters have reservations about moving Richarlison to the main striking role, and some suggesting he wouldnt thrive as he has out wide. I totally disagree he is tall so can compete in the air and he doesnt have to play like Shearer or Kane as a hold up striker. Some of the best strikers I have seen havent been known for their hold up play, Rush and Lineaker and Vardy spring to mind. But all 3 had a good turn of speed and what scares most central defenders is pace. All 3 of the strikers I mentioned could all come short give it back to the midfielder then spin into space for the ball to be played over the top or down the channels.

Our midfield will also be key today, if we give the ball away in this area as we have in our last couple of games then good sides will punish us. So I know Marco likes us to play on the front foot which is great but maybe not to be so gung ho with our fullbacks both bombing forward at least till we have settled into the game.

Anyway I only live five minutes by bus from the ground so I will easy make it, then after the game into a club to watch another victory, hopefully, at Arsenal.

Thanks again James and Andy.

Expecting to win is what we all do but games at Arsenal and the poor results of the last to games do not auger well for the Blues.

However, it is eleven against eleven on any given Sunday so let's hope there is a big improvement.

The Gooners have some real talent but have spluttered somewhat themselves and hopefully that will happen today.

In any event it's not the end of the World as Silva needs more time to manage this work in progress with Everton which may take this season at least to get the squad playing the way he wants.

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Mina Zouma Digne
Gana Sigurðsson
Walcott Richarleson
Tosun

Says a lot about us that despite playing 2 defensive midfielders who offer zero in the final third we still manage to concede and be at sixes and sevens at the back.

Play Baines rightback Mina centreback and see how that goes, we get nothing here at the best of times might as well experiment.

Dowell's playing for them (right midfield) and, looking at the notes on the website, a lot is going through him.

Every time we have played with such a set up we've got creamed.

Either Holgate or Kenny at right back.
Digne at left back.
Mina and Zouma in the middle.
Schneiderlin sitting in front of them.

Bernard and Davies in the middle.

Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin and Walcott up top

I expect it will be Gana and Sigurdsson in place of Bernard and Davies, however

Link

It's a tongue-in-cheek take on how today's football fan likes to present themselves as knowledgeable and well-informed about players they have never seen, based on little more than the phenomena of YouTube Tactical Experts videos "compiled by someone with enough dedication to sift through and edit hours of Ajax footage and put smart little yellow arrows all over it, but who still hasn't worked out that not everyone wants their football highlights soundtracked by DJ Tiesto at ear-splitting volume."

Put a smile on my face whilst waiting for the game.

Light at the back .Davies? ???

Despite Richarlison coming back..Cant see anythimg other than a loss here.

Frankly I wouldnt have Sigurdsson in the squad, nevermind the starting line up. Hopefully he'll score a hat trick.. but I doubt it.

Why wait til Arsenal away to do away with two holding mids? Probably one of the only fixtures where you would want to see it.

To be honest, I wouldn't have dropped Tosun. He's played well prior to the West Ham game without really getting a chance himself in front of goal. We'll need someone to fight to hold the ball and he's at least done that this season.

But a game of opinions. I don't get judged on mine. Let's hope the guy who is paid handsomely to implement his ideas is into a winner. COYB!