Bet9ja Ambassador Victor Ikpeba gives his thoughts on this Saturday’s Premier League clash between Everton and Arsenal, looking at how both teams are shaping up.
Everton vs Arsenal, Saturday 4th February 13:30:
Arsenal’s title to lose
VI: It’s been a great season for Arsenal so far, currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League. They have only lost once in 19 matches and the Gunners have been strong offensively since Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko joined this team.
Mikel Arteta has been able to get the best from these players, especially the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. In the absence of Jesus, I think Eddie Nketiah has been doing an excellent job with seven goals in his last eight matches.
It’s very difficult to defend against these four, especially with Grant Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the middle of the park, making them solid in midfield.
When it comes to the Premier League title, I think it’s Arsenal’s to lose. They still have a game in hand over Manchester City, which would extend their lead further. The biggest problem for this Arsenal side would be the lack of experience to go and win many games in a row and go on a long winning streak, which Man City have done in recent seasons.
On current form, I would back Arsenal. Of course, another big worry for them is if they crack under the pressure. The two games against Man City will be very important and if Arsenal can pick up four points from those then they will have a big chance.
It’s always a very difficult league and Arsenal will have hard games even against those looking to avoid relegation, like the upcoming match against Everton. They also still need to play Liverpool and other top six teams and there isn’t going to be any easy games from now until the end of the season. I can’t say it’s done and dusted for Arsenal after 19 games but it’s looking good for them right now.
Can Everton turn it around?
Although they are currently 19th in the Premier League, relegation is not a done deal for Everton, particularly now they’ve appointed Sean Dyche. Obviously, they managed to escape relegation last season so they know what it takes and they are just two points off 17th position.
Everton’s biggest problem is that they’ve changed manager pretty much every season for the past four or five years. There’s no stability in the team, particularly from a managerial level.
They have spent a lot of money in previous transfer windows and the fans have lost patience with the team. Everton have spent more than £500m (N283.6bn) since 2016 and the recruitment policy has been poor and they’ve not spent wisely. I feel pity for Frank Lampard losing his job because quite a few things have gone against him. Calvert-Lewin has been injured and Richarlison was sold to Spurs, which didn’t help matters.
You can always sympathise with players fighting relegation but they need to pull together and fight as one. Tactically they’ve been poor. Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi hasn’t been consistent enough which is always difficult in a struggling team. As they showed against Man City at the end of last year, Everton defended well and fought until the end and got the equaliser so the quality is there which means you must question the mentality of the players.
Iwobi had a good start to the season but results matter and he hasn’t been able to produce along with this Everton team. There’s a lot of games to play so if Dyche can get the best out of this group of players and they defend well, they have enough quality to survive and I want to see this club escape relegation.
Recent form:
Everton have picked up two points in their last eight Premier League matches, losing six, including the last three.
Despite losing 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup, Arsenal have gone 13 matches unbeaten in the Premier League, winning four of the last five. They beat Manchester United 3-2 in their last league outing.
Head-to-head:
The last time the two played, Arsenal won 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium on the final day of last season. Everton have won three of the last four meetings at Goodison Park, including the last two. Arsenal last won at Everton in October 2017.
Bet9ja odds (at time of writing): Everton win: 7.60, Draw: 4.60, Arsenal win: 1.44
Correct score odds:
Arsenal 0-2: 6.50
1X2&Over/Under:
Arsenal & Under 2.5 goals: 3.40
First Goalscorer:
Eddie Nketiah: 4.50
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