Arsenal vs Everton

I am hoping being 1000s of miles away from my beloved Blues, they might now hit some form. I am going for a 1-2 shock away win and hoping Broja gets some game time. He looked class in his cameo last time out.

I hope Dyche has a plan for their corner routines otherwise I'll be watching through my fingers.

I don't do predictions but I'm not going just to watch us lose. We're due a big scalp!

Hopefully Everton are not sick for Xmas.

I'd accept a 1-2 win for us but I'd already written on TW that we'd have a 0-1 win, with Arsenal having 2 players given red cards. But, at least we're on the same page.

It's about time we had a bit of luck. Go for it, Blues, I think 1-2.

Welcome to ToffeeWeb, I hope your first post is followed by a win at Arsenal no matter how we get it, best of luck in your new environment.

Not a very imaginative team selection again by Dyche, but did we expect any different? Keep plodding away with a selection that hasn't produced any great results, it's bound to pay off, must be his mantra. After all, it's only Arsenal!

One definite plus is our ability to deal with their threat from corners which is probably their main source of scoring this season to date.

Now we have Pawson for a game against another 'red cartel' team. Funny that.

Could put Doucoure there too, but if he got the ball he would run back towards our goal before gifting possession, so that may be counter-productive.

I personally would swap positions between McNeil and Ndiaye, I have to admit that earlier this season, I was asking that Dyche play McNeil in the 10 role, but it hasn't been as successful as I had hoped.

Or, in my case, since I have no TV subscription, listening on the website with my ears half-blocked...

Mark, I'm more of a stare at the floor person during nervous moments!!

We can cause them problems if we show belief.

Hoping it's the only thing to be taken apart twixt 3 and 5.

I'm next to Danny boy so neither of us will see much of their corners it seems!

Some Friday humour……hopefully after the takeover we'll not be included!

Not that you need a seat at away matches. Everyone stands up for the entire match. If you sit down, you can't see.

We even lost it in 1984-85!

It's not just in our lifetimes of watching Arsenal v Everton, it's been a graveyard for Everton in North London for over a century.

PL 103 W17 D16 L70 GF 100 GA 212 Win% 21.7

Anyway just for the fun of it, Everton will win 1-0 tomorrow to commemorate Bob Latchford's winning goal on a muddy Baseball Ground 50 years ago.

If not, then Dyche is for the high jump. Imo

Not at Highbury or the Emirates, but my best recollection was beating Arsenal 6-1 at Goodison. I was in the Gwladys Street.

Champagne Charlie Nicholas got a torrent of banter for almost the entire match.

I'd be very content with a draw.

Wonder what happened to Charlie Nicholas?

He was a regular pundit on Sky but seems to have disappeared… he wasn't let go Rodney Marsh style for something said or done that was inappropriate was he?

That game at Derby was my first away game. If I remember correctly, Derby were battering us then, with 15 minutes to go, the floodlights went out and the players were taken off. When they returned, the game changed and big Bob won it with a towering header!

Strangely, I fancy us to get something tomorrow – but only if we cut out the suicidal defensive mistakes that characterised our last away game.

I started going away regularly the following season, but that victory at Derby looked as if it was going to be a massive result on the way to Everton becoming champions, unfortunately it was Derby who ended up having the last laugh.

Derby v Everton 1974

That's extremely magnanimous of you, Bob. Arteta will be breathing a big sigh of relief: ‘Uf. Ondo egongo da mutilak. Evertonen zaleek uste dute 2-1 irabaziko dutela ez 3-0 edo 5-0 edo 6-1. Badirudi ez dugula lotsatuko azken finean'.

Put Calvert-Lewin and Ndiaye on the half-way line for Arsenal corners. That will deal with Saliba, Gabriel, and one other. Play Ndiaye inside and McNeil outside. Allow the full-backs to go beyond their wingers. If we sit deep, it might turn out nasty.

Nicholas was let go by Sky in COVID time, Nigel, along with Le Tissier and Concorde nose. I think he makes a few quid writing a column for some jock paper now.

It is possible, but our record shows that, with much better players, we have returned from Arsenal on the back of a spanking.

Let's see if Dyche surprises us tomorrow with a few tweaks, I think he will start with both Doucoure and Dom, and by the time Broja gets on, the horse will have bolted.

If we are 3 or 4 down, I predict he will again throw Patterson and O'Brien to the wolves by putting them on again; if we somehow are holding out, do not expect to see either getting any minutes.

Let's see what the team is tomorrow. I'm not expecting any changes myself, but with season ticket prices announced, on the verge of takeover and keys handed over for the new stadium, it is a great time to be an Evertonian.

We lost the league by 3 points and were the only team to be beaten twice by Carlisle United, who were relegated! One was 2-3 having been 2-0 up and the other we were snotted 3-0 away. Could only happen to us.

We had completely rebuilt the 1970 team and I truly believe that a title win would have set us on a different path to the one that resulted in 10 years in the wilderness.

We also lost 3-2 at home to Sheffield Utd near the end of the season, and I think that was after being 2-0 up as well. Stupid season, Bingham's near miss.

I can't watch the game tomorrow, I will be swearing my way around a golf course (for charity) and wondering why I didn't have a nice lie-in! Hopefully, the curse of me missing a great Everton performance and win will strike again.

Do they also believe in Santa?

I hope Everton start with Broja and give Arsenal something different to think about. I hope Everton learn from the Man Utd game and keep their shape and composure.

On the positives, this Arsenal team do have their off-days, but I hope Everton can screen the full-backs today and all the Everton players stick to and do their jobs.

One of the best craft and guile midfield players in this League, Martin Ødegaard, along with Saka, will seize every opportunity to slip in and behind the defence.

So Christmas cheer to all going the game today and enjoy a warm and fitting endorsement and thanks, to Super Kev – RIP, will be done in honour of our former Captain.

Everton to sneak it 2-1 like in 1996 at Highbury, and Broja will score!

Santa to score the winner to cheer up Mark A.

Sleep well fella!

Yes, a win is unrealistic, but still possible (about a 5% chance!). People will travel and watch, hoping it's a 5% day.

The result that was heard around the world.

1-2.

Yes, the gunners are back on it but they always have a bad result in them.

Danny and Mark throwing darts at Raya could clinch it for us.

Never underestimate the 3000.

OK, the dry white has flowed and zzzzzzz are coming - hint, never go on amazon when the dry white flows, I spent what on what ... we didn't need a new garlic presser or washing machine ...

COYB

I hope the Blues give it a go today. Arsenal have a few players out today, although their attacks are still a threat. I was a bit concerned when Dyche stated that Michael Keane is available in his press conference.

Yes, Amazon is dangerous. It's all too easy!!

Right up Dyche's street, this one: low expectations, pinch a point, and claim to be a genius.

And as Walter Smith used to say after being turned over 1-0 or 2-0 "We were excellent today".

Or… we go on a rampant goalfest and win 3:0 today. I believe in miracles, it's (nearly) Christmas.

Corners, Danny, put Calvert-Lewin on the half-way line as I fear Gabriel (who trained Friday) will start.

COYB

I'm saving the darts for them twats whose sole job it is to wave a big flag when they score. I really hope we don't go for that shite at the Dock.

Nice words from Arteta this morning about his time at Everton:

"The human quality and the feeling towards the club is big for me. The club has been through different stages in their history. The fact is, it is very strong.

"Hopefully, they can get a new path now with a new stadium, new owners and have happier times."

Arteta played 195 games for Everton before joining Arsenal in the summer of 2011.

I didn't realise he played for Everton more than any other club.

OK. Different level of the game but . eh, don't give in before the start Eh.?

It comes in 3’s mate, do something else bad before the match starts, get all the bad luck out of the way, go on take one for the team pal.

UTFT

I have to admit that she's often right with this! OMG! Shivers up the spine!

We Will Win Today!!!! (I feel it in my bones) UTFT!!!!

The Gunners have stumbled a little despite hammering Monaco but with the likes of Ødegaard, Saka and Martinelli capable of mayhem, especially up against our average full-backs, it is normal not to be overly optimistic.

However, anything can happen and, if (a big 'if') they can play tight defensively and not concede an early goal, then they have a shot at getting something.

Don’t worry Bob, Mark will drop his pint and we will get a well overdue shock against Arsenal, the gods have spoken!!!

Anyway still us to pull off a shock

Not holding out much hope today, would like to see us put in a performance, but 2 years under Dyche has taught me he will not come up with a plan b.

The results he has pulled off is more down to the crowd, the three wins after the points deductions, the Derby, each of those wins coming off the back of the old lady shacking, 2 wins all season, one against Ipswich, the other Palace, leathered by an average Spurs and Utd side, 6 wins in the last 12 Months so please excuse me if I,m feeling less than confident of Dyche opening the windows and saying do it for them and producing a rousing Churchill speech.

I would love a result today, will we get it, my heart says yes, my head and common sense says no.

I am not preaching to anyone else, ive no crystal ball, everyone has their own opinions, just getting my bit off my chest and not looking for told you so, just saying the way I see it.

Anyway up the Toffees.

Dyche out.

My CV is in with the Friedkins.

How about on this occasion, Calvert-Lewin gets that early chance, absolutely buries it, we then defend like the devil and get the 3 points against all odds.

Last time out, I predicted we'd lose to Wolves so never listen to anything I say about football.

We'll probably lose today though, eh…

Well, we got a result, so I guess Santa is real!!