Everton's writers have selected their starting line-ups for Saturday's Premier League trip to defending champions Arsenal, with both Chris Beesley and Connor O'Neill calling for Jake O'Brien to be recalled to the right-back position.
The Blues travel to the Emirates Stadium (3pm kick-off) as firm underdogs, looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the 2025-26 season. Last Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Chelsea followed a late, harsh 2-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture at Arsenal last season.
O'Brien recalled to the starting line-up
Chris Beesley argues that Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who spent two decades with Arsenal, should be taken out of the firing line after some defensive lapses in Everton's last couple of games. He dismisses moving James Garner into the role, fearing it would leave the Blues lacking bite in central midfield.
Beesley notes that Christian Norgaard, another former Arsenal player, still looks off the pace, while Hayden Hackney would add silk rather than steel. He therefore keeps Garner in midfield and selects O'Brien at right-back, with Jarrad Branthwaite hopefully passed fit alongside James Tarkowski.
Winger experiment abandoned
Beesley also proposes a more progressive switch further forwards, bringing Tyrique George in for Merlin Rohl on the right wing. His team (4-2-3-1) is: Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Connor O'Neill agrees that Maitland-Niles should start on the bench despite his desire to play against his former club. He also brings O'Brien in for his first Premier League start of the season, while keeping Rohl out of the side.
Midfield and attack settled
O'Neill keeps the same midfield of James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harrison Armstrong, with Jack Grealish on the left and Tyrique George's energy and pace on the right, supporting Thierno Barry up front.
His team (4-2-3-1) is: Pickford; O'Brien, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
