Arsenal v Everton preview: Gunners look to keep pace with City
Second-placed Arsenal host David Moyes's Everton at the Emirates on Saturday with Bukayo Saka a doubt and William Saliba out. Everton are unbeaten away from home in the league.
By MatchPulse Editorial Team
Fixture: Arsenal v Everton, Premier League, matchweek 8. Kick-off: Saturday 24 October 2026, 15:00 BST, Emirates Stadium, London.
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon looking to stay within touching distance of Manchester City, who have won all seven of their league matches. Standing in their way is an Everton side that has been difficult to beat this season, particularly away from home.
The table
Arsenal go into the weekend second with 18 points from seven matches: six wins and one defeat. That defeat, a 3-0 loss at Brighton, is the only blemish on their league record, and they sit three points behind City.
Everton are eighth with 10 points from two wins, four draws and one defeat. Their four draws are joint-most in the division, and according to Sports Mole they are one of only four teams yet to lose a Premier League away game this season, with three draws from three on the road.
Form
Arsenal have won their last two league games, beating Leeds 2-1 and winning 1-0 at Nottingham Forest. Their most recent match was Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich, where Declan Rice scored a late equaliser. Arsenal have won all three of their home league games this season.
Everton's last league match ended in a 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea, their only Premier League loss so far.
Team news
Arsenal:
- Out: William Saliba (back) and Christos Tzolis (hamstring).
- Doubtful: Piero Hincapié (ankle).
- Awaiting assessment: Bukayo Saka, who left the field early in Munich with a quad injury. Mikel Arteta said afterwards that it "doesn't look good at all". At the time of publication Arsenal had not confirmed a diagnosis; Arteta was due to give an update at his Friday press conference.
Everton: David Moyes is reported to have a fully fit squad. Christian Nørgaard has recovered from a groin injury.
Neither club has confirmed a starting line-up.
Head to head
Arsenal have had the upper hand recently. Everton have not beaten them in seven meetings since a 1-0 win at Goodison Park in February 2023, when James Tarkowski scored the winner. The last meeting, in March 2026, ended in a 2-0 Arsenal win at the Emirates.
What to watch
Analysis: Arsenal's main question is how they cope without Saka if he is ruled out. Eberechi Eze scored within minutes of replacing him in Munich, and how Arteta reshapes his attack, along with how much he rotates after a demanding European trip, will be central to the game. Everton's away record suggests they will be organised and hard to break down; Moyes's side has drawn games it was expected to lose, and a point at the Emirates would be a creditable result.
For Arsenal, three points would keep the pressure on City, who play earlier on Saturday at Aston Villa.
