Arsenal face a pivotal test of their title credentials this evening as they visit Goodison Park to take on Everton, knowing only a victory will restore them to the Premier League summit. The Gunners were knocked off the top spot earlier on Saturday after reigning champions Manchester City secured a win over West Ham United.
Pressure Mounts on Arteta's Arsenal
Mikel Arteta's squad arrives on Merseyside seeking to rediscover their dominant form after a pair of concerning performances. Last weekend, Arsenal relied on two Wolverhampton Wanderers own goals – one deep into stoppage time – to scrape a 2-1 home win against the league's bottom side.
That narrow escape followed a defeat to Aston Villa, signalling a potential blip in momentum for a team widely tipped as championship favourites this season. The pressure to immediately respond has been amplified by Manchester City's afternoon result, which saw Pep Guardiola's side leapfrog them in the table.
Team News and Absences for Both Sides
The match, scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 20 December 2025, will see both managers contend with significant squad issues. For the hosts, Everton manager David Moyes will be without the services of midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall due to a hamstring injury. The Toffees have also lost Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, who are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Former Manchester City winger Jack Grealish is, however, available for selection.
Arsenal's injury list has also grown. Central defender Gabriel Magalhaes remains unavailable, and he is now joined on the sidelines by full-back Ben White. Forward Kai Havertz continues his recovery but is not yet ready to return. There is a boost for the Gunners' defence, with Italian left-back Riccardo Calafiori available again after serving a suspension.
The Stakes at Goodison Park
This fixture represents a classic Premier League challenge for Arsenal: a tough away match against a well-organised Everton side managed by the experienced Moyes. For Arteta, the objective is clear. His team must demonstrate the conviction and quality that propelled their early-season form to overcome this recent wobble and handle the intense pressure of the title race.
With the season approaching its halfway point, every point is critical. A win for Arsenal would forcefully reassert their championship ambitions, while a negative result could see doubts about their staying power begin to crystallise.
