Arsenal will take their fight to secure UCL football to the final day of the season as they welcome Everton to the Emirates.
Venue: Emirates Stadium (London)
Key Statistics
Arsenal have won their last two home games, scoring five times.
The Gunners have not kept a clean sheet in their last nine games in Premier league.
They have conceded just 16 goals at home this season. Only Liverpool (8), and Manchester City (13) have conceded fewer goals at home.
Everton have won four of their last ten games (two draws and four losses).
The visitors have the joint-worst away record in the league this season (W2, D4, L13).
They have scored just 15 goals away from home this season. Only Norwich (11) have scored fewer goals away from home.
Head to head
Both sides have met 59 times in the Premier League, with Arsenal winning on 34 occasions while Everton have eleven wins.
Latest performances in all competitions
Arsenal: L-L-W-W-W
Everton: W-L-D-W-W
Arsenal
Arsenal will hope to end the 2021/22 Premier League season on a winning note when they host Everton on Sunday in the last league game of the season.
The hosts’ chances of playing in the UEFA Champions League took a big last Monday as they were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United. In a disappointing game at Saint James Park, Mikel Arteta’s side were second-best all evening as a Ben White own goal and a second-half strike by Bruno Guimaraes sealed the win for Eddie Howe’s side leaving Arsenal without a win in two games.
And so, the Gunners come into this game sitting in fifth place, two points behind Tottenham Hotspur and with a worse goal difference. They have to win this game to stand any chance of playing in the UCL next season and hope that Spurs lose their game against already relegated Norwich City.
The possibility of Antonio Conte’s men losing that game is very slim. But Arsenal will at least want to take care of their own business by winning this game. Their home record will be a source of encouragement for them as they have the third-best point per game ratio in the league this season, behind Liverpool and Manchester City.
Possible Arsenal starting line-up
Aaron Ramsdale; Cedric Soares, Ben White, Gabriel, Nuno Tavares; Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny; Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Eddie Nketiah.
Injured: Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Everton
After an elongated period of anxiety, Everton fans all over the world can now breathe a sigh of relief as their team are now guaranteed Premier League football next season following a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Thursday.
In a dramatic game at Goodison Park last Thursday, Crystal Palace went two goals ahead in the first half courtesy of goals from Jordan Ayew and Jean Philippe-Matata. But Frank Lampard’s men fought back in the second half to level the scores through Michael Keane and Richarlison before Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a late winner to send Goodison Park wild.
The win ensured that they will be playing PL football next season as it puts them four points ahead of Leeds United, who are in 18th place.
After a rollercoaster season, they will come into this match looking to at least sign off with a win against an Arsenal team they beat the last time both sides met. The visitors have won each of their last three meetings with the Gunners and will fancy their chances of making it four wins in four against their former midfielder’s team.
With each league position in the Premier League attracting a substantial financial windfall, they will also be glad to take maximum points off their hosts to ensure that they finish as high as possible.
Possible Everton starting line-up
Jordan Pickford; Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, Mason Holgate; Alex Iwobi, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dele Alli, Vitalii Mykolenko; Richarlison, Anthony Gordon; Dominic Calvert Lewin.
Injured: Andros Townsend, Nathan Patterson,
Doubtful: Yerry Mina,
Suspended: Jarrad Branthwaite, Salomon Rondon
Prediction
Arsenal 1-2 Everton
