Preview: Everton vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

Under-pressure Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of a victory as Arsenal travel to Everton this weekend in the Premier League.

The Gunners have made their worst start to a season after 13 games since 1974-75 and are nine points adrift of Everton, who look ready to challenge for a top-four spot.

Match preview

It says an awful lot about Arsenal's struggles this season that a 1-1 home draw with Southampton can be considered a success of sorts.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended a run of 648 minutes without a league goal at the Emirates Stadium to cancel out Theo Walcott's opener in Wednesday's clash.

A point against in-form Southampton will hardly do a lot to appease supporters, but it did at least bring an end to a four-match losing run on home soil in the league.

However, the Gunners have still gone six matches without a top-flight victory, losing four of those games, and are more concerned about a relegation fight than a top-four battle.

Champions League football is the aim for opponents Everton following back-to-back wins to get their season back on track.

The Toffees started the season superbly, winning seven in a row in all competitions, but they picked up only five points from 21 between October 17 and December 5.

Carlo Ancelotti's men seem to have recovered from that blip, though, thanks to their victories over Chelsea and Leicester City without conceding.

That victory over Chelsea ended a four-match wait for three points at Goodison Park, but Arsenal are hardly the best of travellers, winning only once in five away from home.

In fact, since beating Fulham 3-0 on the opening day, Arsenal have scored just twice in their last five away league games, failing to find the net in their last two.

Everton have kept a clean sheet in their last two home league meetings with the Gunners, meanwhile, winning this fixture 1-0 in 2018-19 and drawing 0-0 last season.

Everton Premier League form: LWLDWW

Arsenal Premier League form: LDLLLD Arsenal form (all competitions): LWLWLD

Team News

Thomas Partey remains on the sidelines for Arsenal and Gabriel Martinelli is unlikely to return to action pre-Christmas, while Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Magalhaes are suspended.

Arteta can at least call upon Hector Bellerin again following his return from a one-match ban, but the full-back has been in poor form and faces a fight winning back his spot.

Eddie Nketiah started ahead of Alexandre Lacazette in midweek and set up Aubameyang's goal, but Arteta is likely to recall the French forward here.

As for Everton, influential full-back Lucas Digne is still some way off a return, but Seamus Coleman could be back in the squad this weekend.

James Rodriguez has missed the Toffees' last two matches and is not expected to be recalled to the starting lineup for this one.

Ancelotti has been given a further headache with Allan's likely absence, meanwhile, which could mean partnering Abdoulaye Doucoure and Andre Gomes in central midfield.

Everton possible starting lineup: Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfrey, Kenny; Iwobi, Gomes, Doucoure, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Leno; Holding, Luiz, Tierney; Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ceballos, Saka; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

We say: Everton 2-1 Arsenal

Everton have not won their final league match before Christmas in any of their last six seasons, drawing two and losing four, but they are the favourites heading into this game.

Arsenal have been nothing short of terrible in the league this term and, a week short of his one-year anniversary at the club, another defeat for Arteta here could prove fatal.

Top betting tip

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