Everton head to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday believing they can cause problems for Premier League leaders Arsenal.
They are one of the division’s most formidable teams on the road and arrive in London in terrific form after successive league wins. Everton are just five points off a potential Champions League spot.
It is a remarkable turnaround for a club that sat just one point above the relegation zone when David Moyes returned 428 days ago.
Another positive result against the league leaders would further strengthen the belief that European football is within reach, but it won’t be easy.
Match preview
Moyes knows how to set his side up for difficult away days. The formula is simple but effective.
They are comfortable without the ball and average the lowest possession away from home in the division (39.3 percent).
The Toffees rely on defensive organisation, physicality and Jordan Pickford’s brilliance. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer goals away from home this season.
Everton have already demonstrated their ability to shock big teams on their travels.
They ended Aston Villa’s 11-game home winning streak in January and also secured a rare victory at Manchester United earlier in the season.
With Arsenal feeling the pressure of the title race, Moyes will sense another opportunity.
Match stats
Everton have lost just once away from home since October. The Toffees are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 away league games.
Everton have won four of their last five away matches, but their 1-0 win at Arsenal in 2021 remains their only Premier League victory in 29 attempts at the Emirates.
They are the only Premier League side yet to concede from a set-piece away from home this season.
That statistic is especially important as the Toffees are up against the league’s most proficient set-piece team.
Everton team news
Moyes may name an unchanged side after Everton’s 2-0 win over Burnley, especially after an 11-day rest.
Thierno Barry could replace Beto in the centre-forward role.
Seamus Coleman is expected to recover from a minor knock. The Republic of Ireland international (77 caps) may return to the squad.
Jack Grealish has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
Everton predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford; Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitaliy Mykolenko; James Garner, Idrissa Gueye; Dwight McNeil, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye; Thierno Barry.
