Everton set to welcome Gilbert Burns for Arsenal clash at Goodison Park as UFC Star posts ‘see you Sunday’ video
UFC star Gilbert Burns is set to visit Everton for the clash with Arsenal at the weekend to train with the players and attend the game, he has revealed on social media.
The Brazilian welterweight posted a video on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday night (12 September) where he unboxed two Toffees shirts with his name on the back and promised to “see you Sunday” for the Premier League game at Goodison Park.
Everton face last season’s Premier League runners up with 13 places in the table between them, with Sean Dyche’s side currently 18th.
Under the caption “see you Sunday” Burns said in the video: “What’s up guys, look what I got from Everton.
“Wow I got two shirts with my name on and I’ll be there for the game this Sunday, Arsenal against Everton…
“So this Sunday I’ll be there in Liverpool to watch the game, play with those guys, train the guys in a little bit of MMA. See you guys there, let’s go Everton”.
Fellow UFC fighter Molly McCann is a well-known Evertonian and was tipped to visit the squad during Frank Lampard’s reign [talkSPORT, 28 July 2022].
Support
Everton are no strangers to support from combat sports stars with Burns joining McCann and former cruiserweight boxing champion Tony Bellew, as well as ex-heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe as notable names to back them.
And Dyche’s players will likely need all the help they can get as they get set for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners side with just a point on the board in the Premier League so far, while Arsenal are unbeaten and nine points better off.
The Toffees boss’ era famously got off to the perfect start in this fixture last season as a James Tarkowski goal secured a 1-0 win on 4 February.
That blueprint of remaining tight at the back and nicking a goal at the other end has so far fallen flat this season, with a total inability to score until the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United prior to the international break.
Twice Everton have arguably had the better of the play at Goodison Park only to fall foul of the very pattern that got them all three points on a few occasions last term, losing by a single goal each to Fulham and Wolves.
Amid ongoing uncertainty over a potential takeover it would get the season belatedly up and running in a big way to repeat last season’s feat with a win over Arsenal, with Burns watching on this time.
In other Everton news, Farhad Moshiri is still ready to receive a rival bid despite advanced takeover talks that could be concluded this week.