Everton v Arsenal: Pundit reacts to what Jarrad Branthwaite did – ‘Awful’
Everton took on Arsenal at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for the visitors, sending them into half-time with a 1-0 lead.
However, the Toffees equalised through Iliman Ndiaye and the game ended 1-1.
Jarrad Branthwaite lauded for improvement since the start of the season
Jarrad Branthwaite has been a mainstay in defence for the Toffees and started against the Gunners on 5 April.
Midway through the first half, Trossard was running through on goal and would’ve possibly taken a shot at Jordan Pickford’s goal.
However, he was stopped in his tracks by Branthwaite, who slid in and cleanly won the ball – ensuring that his team didn’t concede.
Jim Beglin, an NBC Sports pundit, who was on commentary for the Premier League world feed, said at 12:54pm on 5 April: “I can remember when he started this season, he started it with some doubt. But I can assure you by now, there’s an awful lot of certainty about him now.
“Here’s more proof. I mean, he read it beautifully.”
Everton have a quality asset at the club in Branthwaite
As many expected, Branthwaite has emerged as a standout performer for the Toffees in the 2024-2025 Premier League season, showcasing his class after a sluggish start hampered by injury.
Limited to just one league appearance early on, the 22-year-old centre-back has since roared back, proving his worth and justifying the £70million valuation Everton have placed on him.
| Premier League stats (2024-25) | Jarrad Branthwaite |
| Matches | 24 |
| Starts | 22 |
| Pass accuracy | 82% |
His partnership with James Tarkowski has solidified Everton’s defence, with Branthwaite’s composure, aerial dominance, and ability to read the game shining through.
Standing at 6’5”, he’s won crucial duels, while his left-footed distribution has added balance to the backline, a rare trait that enhances his appeal.
After missing much of the early season, he’s returned with a maturity beyond his years, highlighted by his consistent performances against top sides, helping Everton climb away from the relegation zone.
His resilience and technical quality have drawn praise, with pundits noting his potential as a future England regular.
Clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool have circled, but Branthwaite’s displays, combining physicality with calmness under pressure, underline why Everton demand such a hefty fee.
This season, he’s not just met expectations but has exceeded them, cementing his status as a top-tier talent.