After missing four games, William Saliba returned to the starting eleven against Wolves, but Arsenal once again conceded. After keeping eight consecutive clean sheets throughout October, Arsenal haven’t been anywhere near as convincing at the back in recent weeks, as they really seem to be missing Gabriel Magalhaes. Since the Brazilian has been injured, Arsenal have conceded in five of their seven matches, with over 1.5 goals landing in all of those games.

Everton have been a tough side to face on Merseyside this season, as they have won five of their nine matches in all competitions. That includes a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest last time out, as Thierno Barry bagged his first goal for the Toffees - he will hope the floodgates will now open. Prior to that, however, Everton were beaten 4-1 by Newcastle, and they now face the challenge of keeping this Arsenal attack at bay.

It has been a really positive season for David Moyes so far, as his Everton side are battling in the top half of standings. The Toffees haven’t been an easy side to contain either - they have drawn the fifth-most fouls in the Premier League this season. 

That has translated to an average of 1.81 opposition cards per game, rising to 2.25 when playing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton have drawn two or more cards in six of their eight home matches in the Premier League this campaign. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal are averaging 2.17 cards per game on their travels this season, landing this bet in four of their last five matches overall. They haven’t been able to exert as much control in their away games, as they have at the Emirates, so they should have a fair amount of defensive work to get through this weekend.

Arsenal have been the most effective side in the Premier League from set-pieces, and they have racked up more corners than any other team in the division this term. The Gunners are averaging 5.6 corners per away game in all competitions this season. 

In the absence of Gabriel, their output from dead ball scenarios has taken a hit, but Jurrien Timber has established himself as the primary target from these scenarios. In fact, the Dutchman has landed this selection in all five starts since Gabriel has been injured, including three efforts against Tottenham.  

Timber has shown he can be a real danger when he gets forward, as he scored a brace against Leeds earlier in the season, while also bagging against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The 24-year-old is averaging 1.03 shots per 90 across all competitions this season, and will hope to cause Everton problems. 

Mikel Arteta made some changes to his backline against Wolves, having to deal with key players missing. Riccardo Calafiori was one of those absentees, as he picked up a yellow card against Aston Villa which was his fifth of the season. The Italian international served his suspension against Wolves, but is in line to return to the starting eleven at left back against Everton. 

Calafiori likes to get tight to his opponent and press up the field, which can often leave gaps in behind. He tends to commit cynical fouls and pick up bookings, averaging 1.5 fouls per 90 across all competitions this season.

Iliman Ndiaye has travelled to AFCON, meaning Tyler Dibling should start out wide. Dibling’s minutes have been limited this season, but he had an average of 2.33 fouls drawn per 90 in the Premier League last season when playing for Southampton. 

Circling back to the Dutchman, he is another player who draws a tough matchup on the wing. Timber has filled in at centre back in recent games, but with Calafiori returning, and Saliba fit enough to start, the Dutchman should return to a more natural right back spot. To further strengthen that case, Ben White was withdrawn against Wolves with an injury. 

That should put Timber up against Jack Grealish, who is the most-fouled player in the Premier League this season, with 3.23 fouls drawn per 90. The Englishman looks back to his best under David Moyes, and has been a tricky customer for opposing right backs to contain. On his last outing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Nicolo Savono was carded in the first minute, committing two fouls in total. Timber has been carded only twice this season, but his tally of nine yellows last season shows how he is no stranger to the referee’s notebook. 

James Garner is averaging 1.59 shots per 90 in the Premier League this season, and has registered more shots than any other Everton player in the league. Considering Garner has also featured at fullback for parts of the campaign, those numbers are impressive, and the 24-year-old should relish a return to midfield this weekend. 

Seamus Coleman remains out with a muscle injury, but Jake O’Brien is available to feature at right back, while Vitaliy Mykolenko is also fit to start. 17 of Garner’s 25 shots in the league this season have come from outside the area, highlighting how he does fancy his chances from distance. Against a side like Arsenal, where clear-cut chances are likely to be at a premium, shooting from range could be a real option. In fact, his only goal of the season came against Brighton, which was an effort from outside the box.

Bukayo Saka has also registered the most shots for his side, but the winger has been more proficient in front of goal. Saka has seven goals and two assists under his belt from 21 appearances in all competitions this season. The 24-year-old hasn’t quite been as prolific as last season, but it is worth noting how he struggled with injury at the start of the current campaign. However, he has looked back at full fitness in recent weeks, and has landed this selection in four of his last seven starts. 

He was also heavily involved against Wolves last weekend, sending in the corner which Sam Johnstone turned into his own net, and the cross for Gabriel Jesus, too. He played a pivotal role in both goals, and was unfortunate not to be officially credited with an assist, but he is averaging 2.9 shots per 90 across all competitions and should be active in the final third once again.