Jake O'Brien joined Everton in the summer [Credit: Imago]

Sean Dyche has one simple reason to start Jake O'Brien in Arsenal v Everton

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelance writer and broadcaster in various sports.

Published on:

10 Dec 2024, 10:10 am

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 defender Jake O'Brien [Credit: Everton Football Club on YouTube]

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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