Everton – Arsenal: Arteta’s symbolic homecoming at the Hill Dickinson Stadium 
Saturday night, Mikel Arteta returns to familiar ground. A former Everton midfielder, the Arsenal boss will visit the Toffees’ new stadium, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, for the first time, with one clear aim: keep top spot in the Premier League as the holidays approach.
The Gunners arrive with three more points after scraping past Wolverhampton, while Everton saw their run checked cold at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.
Arsenal, leaders under pressure 
Everything looked set for a nightmare at the Emirates last weekend. Facing a side bound for relegation, Arsenal produced their most limp display of the season. Beaten in intensity, sloppy on the ball, the Londoners flirted with humiliation for long stretches.
Wolverhampton thought they’d held on after Tolu Arokodare’s equaliser. But in the dying seconds, an unfortunate own goal from Yerson Mosquera handed the Gunners a win as priceless as it was cruel. The final whistle wasn’t elation so much as a massive sigh of relief from the Londoners.
That win keeps Arsenal two points clear of Manchester City at the top. A flattering spot — but a trap historically: in their four previous times top at Christmas in the Premier League, the Gunners never went on to win the title.
Another worry: defensive solidity. Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in their last six league games and have conceded first in each of their last three away trips.
Everton, cautious optimism despite an encouraging run 
On the blue side of Merseyside, the mood is broadly positive. Ninth in the table, Everton sit only two points off a tight pack that includes Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Manchester United and Liverpool. A recent run of four wins in six has allowed David Moyes’ men to look up.
Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea, though, reminded them of their limits. The Hill Dickinson Stadium, once a fortress early on, has lost some of its shine: two defeats in the last four home games.
One stat stands out: Everton struggle against Europe’s elite. Five of their six Premier League defeats this season have come against clubs involved in the Champions League. A gap that’s still hard to close.
Still, the Toffees remain a stubborn opponent for Arsenal at home — just one defeat in the last seven league meetings with the Gunners, even if Goodison Park no longer hosts those clashes.
Both squads depleted
Arsenal lost another defensive option against Wolves. Ben White, with a hamstring issue, will be out for several weeks. He joins an already crowded treatment room featuring Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman.
Good news for Arteta: Riccardo Calafiori returns from suspension. Timber, Saliba and Hincapié should slide a notch, while Odegaard and Trossard are tipped to reclaim starting spots.
Everton aren’t spared either. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall came off injured after 16 minutes against Chelsea and will miss this one. Jack Grealish remains doubtful, while Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are away at AFCON. Branthwaite, Coleman and Rohl are also out.
Possible Everton line-up :
Pickford ; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko ; Garner, Iroegbunam , Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish ; Barry
Possible Arsenal line-up :
Raya ; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiori ; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard
Football Tip Everton vs Arsenal
Arsenal to win
With Everton missing several key attackers, the task looks very tough. After a full week of training and the need to respond following last weekend’s limp display, the Gunners have too much quality to let points slip to a weakened side.
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