Replacing a legend is never easy, but Unai Emery has done a great job so far. After a rocky start, he has steadied the ship at Arsenal and a win over Everton this Sunday will put the Gunners in third place in the table. At the beginning of the season, the mandate for Emery was to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. He looks set to outpace expectations provided Arsenal don’t stumble down the stretch.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Goodison Park in Liverpool, England at 9:05 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 7, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Everton +201
Arsenal +127
Draw +261
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Odds Analysis
Everton seem to have stopped their backslide. The Toffees were 1-1-5 in their next seven games after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Millwall, but they have looked sharp on both ends of the international break. They beat Chelsea 2-0 with goals from stars Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson against the Blues, and Kurt Zouma and Bernard were the two goal scorers in a road win over West Ham.
Arsenal have seen their back line improve markedly in recent weeks, and that has led to the Gunners taking off. They have allowed just three goals in their last six league games, and they have a record of 5-1-0 in those matches. Arsenal have one of the top offenses in the league with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette up top, so putting the ball in the back of the net hasn’t been the issue. They have multiple goals in five of their last six matches too.
This series has been very one-sided over the last half-decade. Arsenal are 8-1-1 in the last ten matches against Everton, and they have won the last four games by multiple goals.
Key Injuries
Center back Yerry Mina is the only injured player on the side of Everton, and he will miss the match due to a thigh injury. The young Colombian was expected to be an integral part of their back line, but he has been out for long stretches this season due to injury.
Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck, and Rob Holding are all long-term injuries for Arsenal. None of the three will return this season. Lucas Torreira is still suspended after picking up a red card against Spurs, while Laurent Koscielny is questionable with an ankle issue. Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka are both considered probable.
Key Stat
Arsenal have been incredibly efficient on the offensive end this season. The Gunners have seen 23.1 percent of their shots result in goals, and that is the highest percentage we have seen since the number started being tracked in 1996. Much of this is because of the system that Emery has used with his players, and the players have done a great job of adapting to its demands.
Prop Bet – Arsenal Clean Sheet Yes +249
The Gunners’ back line has dealt with a number of injuries, but we have seen them play much better as players have gotten healthier and they have learned Emery’s system. This line is a little inflated, but Arsenal were able to shut out Everton at the Emirates in September, and the only two players they really need to worry about are Richarlison and Sigurdsson.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Everton have been continually snakebit by Arsenal, and I don’t see that changing here with the Gunners in top form. Arsenal have the Champions League in their sights, and I look for them to seize the opportunity by the horns in a win.
English Premier League Odds: Arsenal 2, Everton 0
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