Abdoulaye Doucoure could feature for Everton v Arsenal. Credit: Imago
Abdoulaye Doucoure could feature for Everton v Arsenal. Credit: Imago
Match

Doucoure decision to be made in 'lucky charm' verdict ahead of Arsenal v Everton

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Sean Dyche has been warned against playing his "lucky charm" Abdoulaye Doucoure when Everton face Arsenal on Saturday.

The Toffees are set to travel to the Emirates on 14 December, attempting to claim an away victory against Mikel Arteta's men for the first time since December 2021.

While the 31-year-old has started 11 of the Blues' 15 Premier League matches so far this season, he has yet to register a goal contribution, with Dyche being told there are better options ahead of the clash.

Speaking via the Royal Blue YouTube channel, Paul Wheelock said: "If he's going to play Doucoure [at No.10] because if it is true that he's a bit of a lucky charm for Dyche, I can understand why he wants to get him in the team.

"But I'm not quite sure he offers what we need as a two in midfield if I'm being honest. It's a much better team when [Orel] Mangala is alongside Idrissa Gueye."

Sean Dyche to drop Abdoulaye Doucoure ahead of Arsenal v Everton?

Having actually played quite well during the 4-0 win over Wolves recently, it would be an unexpected change for Dyche to make for their trip to the Emirates.

With eight defeats in 14 meetings with the Gunners, however, Doucoure may not be the "lucky charm" that the manager expects him to be away from Goodison Park.

The midfielder notched seven goals and two assists last season, but with many of those coming in the first half of the campaign, his form has really dropped off in recent months.

Sean Dyche
Everton manager Sean Dyche [credit: Imago]

Everton invested heavily during the summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Mangala, Iliman Ndiaye, Armando Broja and Jesper Lindstrom and it only makes sense to utilise them.

If the Toffees are to get anything out of one of the teams aiming to win the Premier League, Dyche needs his players firing on all cylinders, and he will also need to make some difficult decisions.

In other Everton news, senior sources have shared an update on the OADT ahead of TFG's takeover.

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Everton
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Sean Dyche
Paul Wheelock
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