Everton has improved in leaps and bounds under Carlo Ancelotti this season but chances are they are not going to finish in the Premier League top-four by the end of May.
The Toffees were held to a 2-2 draw by Spurs last weekend and this was a major blow for Everton in their hunts for a Champions League spot next campaign.
Next up, the Merseyside outfit will take on Arsenal on Friday night and going into this match, Everton are six points off the fourth spot on the table. While the likes of Chelsea and West Ham United are the favourites to finish in the top-four but the Toffees still have a game in hand so if they can beat Arsenal then they can still make a final push for a European spot.
Everton made a really great start to the season but their performances have slowly declined and going into Friday’s match, Ancelotti’s side are winless in their previous five league matches, losing two and drawing the remaining.
Everton team news vs Arsenal:
Ancelotti found great success once he used a three-man back line against Spurs and we have a feeling the manager will stick with this same plan from the very first minute against Arsenal.
With Yerry Mina out of action, Michael Keane will be partnered by Holgate and Ben Godfrey in central defence while Digne will be occupying the left wing-back position.
Seamus Coleman came off the bench against Spurs but he is likely to start against Arsenal since Ancelotti is expected to use a 3-5-2.
Andre Gomes is on the verge of making a comeback but we doubt if the Everton manager will use him or not. Allan and Tom Davies have done a great job and Carlo Ancelotti is likely to stick with the pair.
Sigurdsson scored a brace against Spurs and he will play as the No 10 on Friday. Richarlison and James Rodriguez have been pairing up up-front in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and they are likely to continue if the striker cannot make a comeback.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin should be fit enough to be named in the match-day squad at the Emirates Stadium but we are not sure if Carlo Ancelotti will use him in the starting line-up or not.
Everton’s predicted XI vs Arsenal:
Predicted Starting Line-up: Pickford; Michael Keane, Holgate, Godfrey; Digne, Sigurdsson, Coleman, Allan, Davies; James Rodriguez, Richarlison.
Injury updates via Premier Injuries.
