Betting preview: Everton vs Arsenal - Gunners to revive top four-fight against tame Toffees

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal vs Leicester

Both sides meet on Monday needing to bounce back from losses, but while Arsenal need to reignite their top-four challenge, a loss for Everton could prove to be Rafa Benitez’ last.

Ten places separate Everton and Arsenal in the Premier League standings, with Mikel Arteta's side looking to break into the Champions League spots, while the Toffees have been dragged into a relegation scrap.

Monday's visitors travel to Merseyside on the back of a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, and will be wanting three points not only to close the gap to West Ham, but to extend their lead over north London rivals, Tottenham.

Meanwhile, Everton are also looking to bounce back following a dismal 4-1 derby loss to Liverpool, and the pressure is really mounting for former Reds manager Rafa Benitez.

Where, when and how to watch

Where: Goodison Park, Liverpool

When: Monday, December 6, 20.00 GMT

How to watch: Live on Sky Sports

Follow live in-play odds and updates via our match centre

Best bets for Everton vs Arsenal

Arsenal to win to nil - 11/4

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score anytime - 5/4

Lucas Digne to be shown a card - 19/10

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Both teams may be coming from losses last week, but make no mistake, Arsenal fans will be far happier with how their season has gone compared to the blue half of Merseyside.

Arteta's side are just four points from the top four, with a game in hand on West Ham above them. After losing their opening three games, it's been an impressive recovery from the Gunners to even be competing for Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, Everton have done the opposite. They started well despite questions surrounding Benitez' appointment, but their loss to Liverpool last week signalled eight games without a win.

Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Arsenal enter the match as 11/10 favourites, and with rumours already rumbling about Benitez' sacking, a hefty loss here would surely be his last in charge.

They've simply struggled with finding the back of the net. Demarai Gray has been an inspired addition to the side, but without Dominic Calvert-Lewin for much of the season, the Toffees have only managed to score 17 - ranking them as the league's 13th-best attack.

To add to their struggles, they've been leaky in defence, something many expected Benitez to fix. Already this season they've conceded 24, including five to Watford and four to Liverpool.

That'll be music to the ears of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emile Smith Rowe, who lead the way for Arsenal in terms of goals this season.

Arsenal themselves have only netted 17 times this season, but their scoring rate has improved as the games have ticked on, and they've managed 12 in their last seven.

Last 10 head-to-heads

Everton wins: 4

Draws: 1

Arsenal wins: 5

Everton goals: 12

Arsenal goals: 20

Improvements at the back

In recent years, Arsenal have been criticised for lacking physicality and a strong spine - much of that has been addressed by Arteta.

In the summer, the Spaniard brought in Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu, and they've all been effective in strengthening Arsenal's defence.

White and Ramsdale were criticised for their price tags, but they're beginning to justify the outlay and Arsenal now have six Premier League clean sheets - the third most in the league.

Of Arsenal's seven wins this season, five have seen them blank the opposition. Against a dysfunctional Everton attack, I'm backing Arsenal to again win to nil, which is priced at around 5/2.

With their defence strengthened and an attack finding its feet, only four of Arsenal's 14 games have delivered in the BTTS market, and only one of their seven away from home.

That's also a good sign for the unders market, where under 2.5 goals looks a punt worth taking. Nine of Arsenal's games this season have seen that bet land.

A match made in hell

Appointing a former rival manager as your own is rarely a good idea, and Rafa Benitez' time at Goodison Park looked limited from the moment he was announced.

He did well at the start of his tenure to silence his critics, but a dreadful run of form has seen Everton fans turn on him in recent weeks, and that's always the beginning of the end for any manager.

No wins in eight could easily become nine as they face a well-drilled Arsenal side, and they're at risk of completely collapsing should the Everton faithful turn on them again.

Having already tipped Arsenal to win, it may be worth looking at which Everton players will be under pressure, and specifically which could be shown a card.

Lucas Digne is my headline suggestion. The Frenchman has been shown four yellow cards already this season - the third most in the league.

And, with the left wing-back wanting to frequently attack down his flank, it's seen him caught out plenty of times, and results in him making desperate attempts to win the ball back.

Regardless of if he is lining up against Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli, both have the pace to worry Digne and see his name enter the referee's book again.

And speaking of referees, Mike Dean has been appointed as the official on Monday night, and with his disciplinary track record, it makes the booking market even more attractive.

Goalscorer bets for Everton vs Arsenal

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Emile Smith-Rowe, Arsenal, Premier League

There's plenty to like about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's record against Everton.

The Gabonese forward has netted four times in five games against the Toffees, including a brace in the Gunners' latest win against them in 2020.

Martin Odegaard's odds are also worth a look. The Norwegian is 17/4 to follow up his goal against Manchester United last week.

As for Everton, if they are to score then their most likely route is Demarai Gray. The 25-year-old winger leads Everton in terms of goals, with his strike against Liverpool last week taking him up to four.