Arsenal have received over 1.5 cards in each of their last five Premier League matches, with this total rising to over 2.5 cards in four of those encounters. Mikel Arteta’s side have become bogged down in scraps since injuries to key attacking players, which has meant they have been unable to sustain attacking pressure in the opposition half.

Everton have been drawing cards from their opponents at a consistent rate of late, drawing over 1.5 cards from the opposition in four of their last five Premier League matches. Goodison Park is never an easy ground to visit which should prompt the travelling side to commit a few fouls and catch the eye of the referee, especially when considering their recent tendency to pick up cautions.

Arsenal are averaging 1.9 cards per game in the Premier League this season, which would suggest that this recent flurry of cards over the last five games is linked to frustration in falling away from the Premier League title race, as well as key absences meaning that Arsenal cannot control games as they would like too.

Arsenal have scored 20% of their goals from set pieces this season (11 of 55), it has been a viable route to goal in the absence of the intricate attacking patterns that Mikel Arteta has been unable to rely upon this season, largely due to injuries to key attacking players. 

That being said, Arsenal are still winning corners at a steady rate. They’re averaging 5.40 corners per game across their 15 away games in the Premier League this season, whilst Everton are conceding 5.60 per game at Goodison Park this campaign and averaging 4.60 themselves. Arsenal are only conceding 3.60 corners per game away from home in the Premier League, which is a testament to their ability to limit opportunities for the opposition.

Arsenal comfortably won the corner battle in the meeting between these sides at the Emirates, racking up eight corners to Everton’s two.

Saka is averaging 1.32 shots on target per 90 in the Premier League this season, a record that has returned six goals in the top-flight for the 23-year-old.

Saka scored after just seven minutes against Fulham in midweek, coming off the bench to head home from close range after a clever flick from Gabriel Martinelli. He had a shot on target in the initial meeting between these sides at the Emirates and will be Arsenal’s primary attacking threat here. 

Arsenal are averaging 4.8 shots on target per game in the Premier League this season, an average that has taken a massive hit since the injuries to Havertz and Saka, debilitating Arsenal in the final third. Saka’s return should prompt an increase in this average and generally add more punch to Arsenal as an attacking force.

Mykolenko is averaging 0.66 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season which is a record that is set to rise here with the full back lining up against Bukayo Saka.

Saka is averaging 2.29 fouls won per 90 and was fouled once off the bench against Fulham in midweek. He was brought down twice in the initial meeting between the sides earlier in the season with Mykolenko also committing two fouls and making more tackles than any other player on the pitch (4), as well as losing more duels than any other player on the pitch (10) suggesting that he’ll be in for a busy afternoon here against Arsenal’s star man.

Mikel Arteta’s experiment with Merino as the makeshift striker has actually gone pretty well, he scored against Fulham during the week adding to his goals against Chelsea, PSV and Leicester since being trusted to lead the line. Taking his tally up to six goals in the Premier League, which makes him Arsenal’s joint-2nd top goalscorer in the league, in a nod to how few options the Gunners have in the final third at the moment.

Merino’s positioning as a striker naturally makes him a good option to back for a goal contribution. He’s shown that he can be an aerial threat and is pretty confident when he gets a chance in front of goal; as evidenced, he’s exceeding his xG of 3.74 this campaign. 

Arsenal have found the back of the net in each of their last five Premier League matches, and the return of Bukayo Saka will aid Merino in registering a goal contribution here, with the winger likely to create more chances for the makeshift centre forward.

Gueye plays an important role in Everton’s midfield, even at the age of 35. He’s averaging 1.60 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season, which is a record that has seen Gueye have his name taken in the referee’s notebook on six occasions.

Gueye is Everton’s joint-most booked player this season, alongside Ashley Young and Jordan Pickford. Arsenal are very strong in midfield areas and will pose a challenge to Gueye, James Garner and Abdoulaye Doucoure in the Everton midfield. Everton committed nine fouls in the initial meeting between the sides but this should rise here, with Everton certainly more aggressive with their opponents at Goodison Park.

Gueye will be up against Martin Odegaard, who should really benefit from Saka being back in the side, he’s won 19 fouls across his 22 Premier League appearances this season (0.94 per 90).

Arsenal drew five saves from Pickford in the initial meeting between the sides at the Emirates, the Everton keeper is being called into action 2.93 times per game in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal are averaging 4.8 shots on target per game in the Premier League this season, which is an average that should improve with the return of Bukayo Saka who will revolutionise how Arsenal approach the game in the final third. Not only with his individual brilliance but also his ability to improve the performances of others around him, notably Martin Odegaard, who has struggled in his absence.

Arsenal should control possession and be the team engaged in the majority of probing here, which should give the Gunners scope to test Pickford on a few occasions, who can prove a stubborn opponent as he did in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates.

Arsenal are unbeaten across their last five games in all competitions which is a run that has included three wins, against PSV, Chelsea and Fulham. They’re fighting for pride alone in the Premier League but will still see this game as an opportunity to continue their momentum before a two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.

Arsenal have won seven of their 15 games on the road this season; only Liverpool can boast a better away record in the top-flight this term. Only Crystal Palace (12) have conceded fewer goals than the Gunners on the road in the Premier League this season (13), which suggests that Everton will have a tough time in trying to breakdown this Arsenal side.