Dwight McNeil can join exclusive Premier League club with Frank Lampard in Everton stat reveal
Everton host title-chasing Arsenal in a mouth-watering Premier League showdown on Saturday evening.
It’s the first game David Moyes’ men will play without Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, who are on AFCON duty with Senegal.
The absence of that key duo isn’t the only issue causing the Scotsman a headache, though, as Jack Grealish’s potential injury could see him miss the clash against the Gunners.
Grealish has been excellent for Everton since joining on loan from Manchester City, and Dwight McNeil will surely replace the 30-year-old in the starting lineup if he’s out.
Dwight McNeil can join exclusive Premier League club vs Arsenal
Everton supporters have enjoyed watching Ndiaye and Grealish destroy Premier League defences this term, while McNeil is someone who has suffered.
The 26-year-old hasn’t started in any of his seven top-flight appearances in 2025/26 and only clocked up 104 minutes in the competition.
As a result, McNeil has been linked with an Everton exit in January, although Moyes is unlikely to sanction his departure unless a replacement is found.
In any case, the Englishman has an opportunity to impress supporters this weekend and join an exclusive club in the process.
According to BBC Sport, if McNeil features against Arsenal, he will become only the fifth player in Premier League history (26yr, 28d) to reach 100 appearances for two different clubs (also 134 for Burnley).
- Emile Heskey (24y 349d, Leicester & Liverpool)
- Joe Cole (24y 354d, West Ham & Chelsea)
- Frank Lampard (25y 236d, West Ham & Chelsea)
- Jermaine Jenas (25y 312d, Newcastle & Spurs).
Emile Heskey, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Jermaine Jenas are the other four players on the list, with McNeil handed an extra incentive to make his own history.
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Everton could be without Jack Grealish vs Arsenal
Moyes is destined to hand McNeil a chance from the off, and he isn’t the only one with an opportunity to showcase his talent.
Tyler Dibling should start against Arsenal in Ndiaye’s absence on the right, and the teenager must prove why the Toffees spent £40million on him in the summer.
Of course, with Grealish likely to be out, supporters will miss his ability to win free kicks and produce a moment of quality from nothing.
Not only that, but Grealish holds a great record against the Gunners with seven wins, two draws and six defeats in this fixture, including one goal and four assists, too.
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