By Daniel Feliciano

3rd Feb, 2023 | 4:10pm

Mark Lawrenson predicts result of Everton Premier League showdown v Arsenal

Mark Lawrenson believes Everton have a “much better chance of staying up” after appointing Sean Dyche as manager for the second half of the season.

The Toffees sit in 19th place in the table and host league leaders Arsenal in Dyche’s first game in charge at Goodison Park in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.

And while former BBC pundit Lawrenson praised the appointment of the ex-Burnley man, he told Paddy Power in his predictions column (3 February) that he expected the Gunners to come out on top in a close game.

“Goodison will be raucous, that’s the way the Everton fans are,” he said.

“I think they know now, and I hate the phrase, that every game’s a cup final for them. They’ll get it forward quickly and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be key for them and for Sean Dyche if he’s fit.

“They’ve got a much better chance of staying up with Dyche in charge. I think it will be a tough day for Arsenal but I think they’ll win just about. Everton 0-1 Arsenal.”

Experience

Everton have been struggling all season and while Frank Lampard was afforded time because he managed to save us last season, it’s been clear for a while that he wasn’t up to the job.

Now that he’s gone and we’ve brought someone in with real experience of battling at the bottom of the league and how to coach a team to be better stronger defensively.

Against Arsenal, who are flying at the top of the league, it will obviously be really difficult for us to get all three points even with the home crowd being loud and up for it.

But if the performances are improved and the team can show some real spirit and character again then we will know whether or not they’re up for the challenge of avoiding relegation.

There is only so much Dyche can do now after the board failed to deliver in the window for him, so the players that he picks for the game must step up and perform.