Arsenal warned by ex-FIFA official ahead of Everton clash
Keith Hackett has warned Everton to be wary of Arsenal’s “rugby-style” approach to set-pieces ahead of the Premier League clash on Saturday.
The Blues will travel to Emirates Stadium on Saturday [14 December] with Sean Dyche still under immense pressure at Goodison Park, but his side will have fresh legs after the clash against Liverpool, which was postponed last weekend.
However, Everton must treat Arsenal cautiously as former FIFA referee Hackett urged the PGMOL to intervene over Mikel Arteta’s set-piece routines when speaking exclusively to Goodison News.
“The referee failed to grip, as a lot of referees are doing, grappling, almost rugby-style play in the penalty area,” Hackett said after Arsenal’s draw with Fulham.
“There’s no doubt that one of the reasons they’re scoring goals from corners is that they’ve got one or two players who are holding their opponent, wrestling them to the ground, and referees are ignoring it.
“The question here is that we are being over-tolerant in terms of grappling, wrestling, rugby-style play in the penalty area.
“The PGMOL have got to do something about it because we’re watching football not rugby.”
Everton can use set-pieces against Arsenal
Ahead of the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Dyche had a clear game plan – rely on Dwight McNeil’s “perfect” deliveries from set pieces.
All of the Toffees’ goals in the 4-0 win against Wolves came from dead-ball situations as the Merseyside outfit rediscovered their killer edge – the 18 goals scored last term from set pieces was the second highest in the Premier League.
Arsenal have stolen the crown in this regard, with set-piece coach Nicolas Jover making the headlines this season for his intricate routines leading to crucial goals scored for the Gunners.
However, Arteta could be without his main aerial threat for the clash on Saturday. Gabriel was missing from training on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League fixture against Monaco on Wednesday [11 December].
All eyes on the blue half of Merseyside will be on the contest at the Emirates and whether the Brazilian centre-back is named in the matchday squad. If not, it is advantage to the Toffees before a ball has been kicked.
Therefore, Dyche could play Arsenal at their own game on the weekend, lean heavily on McNeil to find his teammates from dead-ball situations, and claim an unlikely away win in North London.
In other Everton news, the Blues’ transfer battle for a new defender is over as the winner has been named.
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