Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares his team to break their Everton curse at Goodison Park this Sunday.
The Gunners haven't secured an away win against Everton since 2017, and Arteta is adamant that only a committed, fearless display will help them vanquish that haunting streak.
With Everton still searching for their first Premier League win this season, the stakes are high for both sides. Despite maintaining an unbeaten record, Arsenal's performances have been far from convincing this season.
"I'm really excited about it. In the last six years, we haven't won there, so we are going to have to earn it," Arteta stated during a press conference on Friday. "We know we are going to have to be at our best to beat them there, and that's something we haven't managed to do, so that's where we are going to start."
Sean Dyche, the former Burnley manager now at Everton's helm, is renowned for constructing physically imposing teams that can dominate opponents. Arteta acknowledges the challenge but is confident that Arsenal can hold their own.
"Sometimes you cannot avoid a battle with Everton. The style of play they have is very clear, and they're very good at that," Arteta explained. "It's about trying to impose your way of playing and ensuring that your opponent's strengths are concealed while ours shine through every time."
Arsenal's upcoming Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven holds special significance as it marks their return to the competition for the first time since the 2016–17 season. Arteta is keen to ensure that his players remain focused on their immediate challenges and don't get distracted by the prospect of European glory.
"We played three games a week last year, but the Champions League is obviously different, with higher expectations and the fact that we've been away from it," Arteta noted. "This is where we want to be when you look at the fixtures and the games we are going to have to play."
