Sean Dyche has one simple reason to start Jake O’Brien in Arsenal v Everton
Everton could see this weekend to be as good a time as any to unleash Jake O’Brien into the starting line-up.
The 6’6” Irishman, signed from Lyon in the summer, has played just 36 minutes of Premier League football this campaign but could be a huge help to Sean Dyche against set-piece specialists Arsenal at the Emirates [14 December].
Mikel Arteta’s men have been unstoppable from corners this season, and it remains unclear whether Gabriel – who has since 2020 scored 15 times from corners as revealed on Sky Sports on Monday night – will be fit to feature.
Dyche’s first-choice defensive pairing of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite – who himself stands at 6’5” – will likely start, but with Arsenal’s anticipated dominance on the ball, a back five could be an option with O’Brien insulating the defensive setup further, and providing ample set-piece armoury.
Everton must keep Arsenal corners at bay
Arsenal were once a team whose fluid football pierced teams. And while that remains the case in part, their set-piece prowess has become outstanding under Arteta.
Fulham put up a stern fight to earn a draw against the Gunners at Craven Cottage on Sunday [8 December], but still came unstuck when William Saliba found a second-half equaliser from a set-play.
Saliba – in partner Gabriel’s absence – has taken the baton, having also scored one of two set-piece goals to beat Manchester United last Wednesday [4 December].
Everton will be 10 days without competitive action when they head to the Emirates following the postponement of the Merseyside derby, but are set to tick several first-teamers over including O’Brien with a bounce game against Mansfield Town.
O’Brien himself will have experienced a lot of frustration this season having excelled in France last term, but it could be a tough contest against the potential champions where he is thrown into battle.
In other Everton news, Kevin Thelwell may be ready to sell Beto in January following a development.
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