David Moyes has several selection decisions to make as Everton look for a response to their first Premier League defeat of the season when they travel to Arsenal on Saturday.
The 2-0 defeat by Chelsea brought Everton’s unbeaten start to an end and left Moyes particularly dissatisfied with his side’s attacking output. They managed only six attempts, their fewest in a league game since last December, with Thierno Barry’s first-half header and a Jack Grealish volley among their best opportunities.
Moyes acknowledged afterwards that Everton had not created enough. Saturday’s 3pm trip to the Emirates Stadium therefore gives him a decision over how much to change a side which had taken 10 points from its opening six league matches.
Does Hayden Hackney come into midfield?
Hayden Hackney was an unused substitute against Chelsea as Moyes retained a midfield three of James Garner, Harrison Armstrong and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the 10.
The summer signing has nevertheless featured in six Premier League matches since arriving from Middlesbrough and offers Moyes another option against an Arsenal side likely to have plenty of possession. Christian Norgaard is also working his way towards full fitness and made his Everton debut as a late substitute against Chelsea.
Hackney’s inclusion would require Moyes to break up a midfield combination he has trusted during Everton’s encouraging start. After Chelsea increasingly took control following half-time, however, the manager has reason to consider whether a change would give his side greater energy and composure in possession at the Emirates.
Stick with Maitland-Niles at right-back?
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is in line to return to familiar surroundings after beginning his career at Arsenal, having started Everton’s past five matches at right-back. Moyes does have alternatives, though. Jake O’Brien has previously operated on the right of the defence, while Merlin Rohl moved into the position after Maitland-Niles was withdrawn during the 2-2 draw at Hull City.
There is no indication that Moyes has lost faith in Maitland-Niles – unlike some Evertonians – and continuity could be valuable against strong opposition away from home. His options elsewhere in the squad nevertheless give the Everton manager a choice over the defensive balance he wants against Arsenal.
How does Everton offer Barry more support?
Perhaps the more pressing question is not whether Barry starts, but how Everton get more bodies around him.
The striker had their clearest opening against Chelsea when he headed Grealish’s delivery at Emi Martinez from close range. Everton struggled to create clear chances thereafter, with Moyes admitting after the match that their lack of opportunities was the biggest disappointment of the performance.
Barry has scored six times this season and remains Everton’s only orthodox senior centre-forward following Beto’s departure, making a change of striker less straightforward than adjusting the supply around him.
Rohl started from the right against Chelsea, while Brennan Johnson, Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George were among the attacking alternatives on the bench. Moyes could therefore alter the personnel around Barry without changing the focal point of his attack, particularly if he wants greater pace or width on the counter-attack at Arsenal.
One defeat does not require a wholesale rethink after Everton’s positive opening to the campaign. The Chelsea performance did, however, expose areas for Moyes to consider, and his decisions in midfield, at right-back and around Barry could help determine whether Everton can produce a response at the Emirates.
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