LATE DRAMA AT GOODISON PARK: UNDERMANNED EVERTON PREPARES TRAP FOR UNBEATEN GUNNERS

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Everton – Arsenal

April 5th, 2025

Goodison Park used to be a cursed place for Arsenal. The Gunners have won only three of their last 26 away matches on Merseyside against local clubs (Everton and Liverpool), which is an alarming contrast to their previous record when they managed to win six out of seven visits. Last season, however, Arsenal finally broke the curse and won 1-0 at Everton's ground.

The mutual encounters between these teams have gone through significant fluctuations in recent years. After a period when Everton dominated (four wins from five matches between December 2020 and February 2023), Arsenal has now taken the reins, remaining unbeaten against the Toffees in the last four duels. The December meeting in London ended in a goalless draw, which means that if Arsenal were to keep a clean sheet again, they would achieve this in both season matches against Everton for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Interestingly, if neither team were to score this time, Arsenal would fail to score in both matches against Everton for the first time since the distant 1912-13 season, more than 110 years ago.

Everton benefits from home advantage. The Toffees have lost only two of their last 13 league matches at Goodison Park, have drawn three in a row, and now have a chance to record a fourth consecutive home draw, which they last managed between January and February 2015.

However, Arsenal is currently the second-best away team in the league. The Gunners are unbeaten away for 10 consecutive matches (5 wins, 5 draws), with only Liverpool having a longer streak (17). Since the beginning of 2024, Mikel Arteta's men have earned the most points away from home of all Premier League teams (52) while conceding the fewest goals (16).

Everton's specialty is late goals. This season they have already scored four times in the 90th minute at home, with three of these strikes earning a point by leading to a draw. This is the highest number of 90th-minute goals at home since the 2016-17 season and equals the club record from the 2010-11 season, when Everton also secured a point with an equalizing goal in the final minutes three times.

Home coach David Moyes has a mixed record against Arsenal. Of his first five home matches against the Gunners in the Premier League, he managed to win three (2002-2007), but from the last 13 duels, he has won only once, when he triumphed with Manchester United 1-0 in November 2013.

None of Everton's current players has more goals against Arsenal than veteran Ashley Young, who has scored twice - both goals came during Manchester United's legendary 8-2 victory in August 2011. Young also has a record 10 yellow cards against Arsenal. Only Kevin Davies (11 against Arsenal) and Mark Noble (11 against Tottenham) have collected more in Premier League history against a single opponent.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has an excellent record against Everton. In the last seven mutual duels, he has contributed to five goals (3 scored, 2 assisted). However, he has scored at Goodison Park only once, when he opened the scoring in December 2021, though Arsenal eventually lost 2-1.

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data.