Credit: Imago

Samuel Fabre

Wed 17 December 2025 15:10, UK

Jake O’Brien faces another tough test against Arsenal on Saturday evening.

Nathan Patterson’s injury struggles have left David Moyes needing to improvise, with O’Brien being deployed as the regular right-back in Everton’s defence this season.

The right-back position has been a problem for Everton, and the 24-year-old, who is traditionally a centre-back, is struggling to perform in the unfamiliar position.

In Everton’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday, the Republic of Ireland international was singled out for his poor performance, and it has been made abundantly clear that he can be exploited by the top teams.

Step forward, Leandro Trossard.

Leandro Trossard’s form is worrying for Jake O’Brien

Arsenal have been unstoppable at times this season, with the 31-year-old proving to be a difference-maker in difficult matches on the road.

Trossard has been involved in nine goals in his last nine away Premier League appearances for Arsenal (six goals, three assists), scoring three and assisting one in his last four.

The Belgium international has also scored both of Arsenal’s away goals against Everton in the last two seasons.

The Toffees are winless in their last five matches against the Gunners, with their last victory coming in February 2023.

Everton have already suffered heavy defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and O’Brien will have to be on top form against Arsenal if they want to avoid a damaging defeat.

Moyes has already said he wants a new right-back in the January transfer window, but he’ll have to cope with the fact that O’Brien is coming up against one of the league’s most in-form wingers.

With James Tarkowski and Michael Keane excelling in defence, the arrival of a new right-back would mean O’Brien would likely drop to the bench.

• Read more: ‘Tyler Dibling can prove why Everton spent £40m on transfers after new developments’

Everton’s lack of depth at right-back could cost them their European ambitions

The team that finishes eighth in the table has a chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League, and the Toffees have certainly shown they are capable of being in the mix.

Despite a lot being made about Everton’s striker woes, the right-back position is becoming incredibly important for how Moyes wants to play.

Vitalii Mykolenko’s stability on the other side has given Jack Grealish the license to attack, and if the Toffees can find a player who can perform reliably behind Iliman Ndiaye, their European ambitions would be considerably strengthened.

Trossard’s numbers don’t look pretty for O’Brien’s chances of performing well, and fans will be hoping that their defender pulls out his best performance of the season.

If Everton wish to secure all three points, then that is a necessity, especially with the injuries hitting the squad further forward.

Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Everton news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @goodisonnews