Everton vs Arsenal: 3 Key Battles to Decide Goodison Showdown

Everton vs Arsenal: 3 key battles to decide Goodison showdown

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes runs with the ball past Everton's English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (back) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north-west England, on February 4, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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A direct battle for England’s number one? (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

3. Aaron Ramsdale vs Jordan Pickford

The battle for England no.1 will be decided via a direct contest!

Ramsdale has long been championed as Jordan Pickford’s international heir and, on Tuesday, he reified the challenge by making his first Three Lions appearance since June 2022.

However, the 25-year-old’s biggest power struggle remains in north London and he must not put a foot wrong this weekend if David Raya is to be kept at bay.

Despite bearing little responsibility for the goals conceded this campaign, Ramsdale seems a bit unconvincing right now and lacks the authority he once had in commanding the box, with his passing selections also becoming noticeably more conservative.

But he tends to produce his best displays away from home and will no doubt revel in the raucous Goodison atmosphere, where a good afternoon might lead to a midweek Champions League debut.

Pickford endured a peculiar start to 2023/24 himself, scoring an own goal at Sheffield United and giving a penalty away against Aston Villa in addition to completing some excellent stops. Yet, his eye for the spectacular is diluted by a tendency to commit inexplicable errors and it may not be enough to save the porous Everton defence.

Gareth Southgate will be watching. May the best goalkeeper win.

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