Sean Dyche’s Everton kick off March by heading down to London to face league leaders Arsenal at The Emirates in the Premier League this evening.
The Toffees head into the match in the bottom three but could move out of the relegation zone, and above West Ham and Leeds, with a win tonight.
Everton were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa in their last outing in the top-flight as goals from Ollie Watkins from the penalty spot and Emi Buendia were enough to secure all three points for Unai Emery’s side at Goodison Park.
Dyche may now want to make some adjustments to his side after that defeat, in order to give his team the best possible chance of repeating their win over the Gunners earlier this year.
Should Ben Godfrey start for Everton against Arsenal?
One player who must be unleashed from the start is rarely-seen central defender Ben Godfrey, who missed 15 matches earlier this season due to injury, as the England international could be able to silence Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard.
Mikel Arteta lined up with a natural centre-forward in Eddie Nketiah when the two sides last met but opted to go with their January signing from Brighton through the middle in their recent win over Leicester – with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli either side of him.
This means that Arsenal could line up with a pacey front three of dynamic forward players, which could spell trouble for Conor Coady after his disappointing display against Villa.
The ex-Wolves captain was far too slow to move his feet as Buendia beat him with ease in the box and his lack of mobility could make Godfrey the perfect player to come in for him.
Journalists Patrick Boyland and Adam Jones have both hailed the former Norwich man as “absolutely rapid” and his pace at the back could allow him to deal with the threat of Trossard, Martinelli, and Saka in behind.
Godfrey, who has been an unused substitute in the last four matches, caught the eye in his last battle against the pacey Erling Haaland as he helped his side to pick up a 1-1 draw against Manchester City – limiting the Norway international to two shots, zero dribbles, and two duels won out of seven.
The £75k-per-week centre-back, who was once dubbed a “monster” by reporter James Whaling, has the athleticism and running power to deal with opposition attackers with quick feet and the pace to run in behind, which is the big threat that this new-look Arsenal frontline could pose.
Therefore, Dyche could silence Trossard through the middle of the pitch by ditching Coady and unleashing Godfrey in the starting line up tonight.
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