Everton

Is it time for Brennan Johnson to make room for Tyler Dibling in Everton's starting XI?

"My patience has pretty much run out. Nine touches it was in 72 minutes. Dibling came on - 21 touches," BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould explained on the Toffees Unwrapped podcast.

"There has been a lot of talk about Dibling last season and his attitude. I think he has stepped it up and everything inside the camp is suggesting he has come in with a completely different mindset from the summer.

"Statistically from that, you have got to start Dibling, he is offering much more."

Listen to the full episode below or on BBC Sounds

Everton fans, what would you do about Johnson's form and Dibling's role? Tell us

Former Everton striker and interim manager Duncan Ferguson spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside about whether forward Thierno Barry is the right player to lead the Toffees frontline.

The Scot believes the club should either be looking for a replacement or looking to bring in more "support" for the French Striker, who has scored three goals in eight Premier League starts so far this season.

Ferguson also analyses Barry's style of play and explains what he has improved this campaign.

Listen to more on Barry above and find Ferguson's full interview on BBC Sounds here

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BBC Radio Merseyside's Mike Hughes believes Thierno Barry didn't do enough to help his side from an attacking aspect in their defeat by Arsenal at the weekend and the striker "wasn't smart enough" in how he played.

The Toffees struggled to create any chances of note against last season's Premier League champions, who boast the best defensive record in the league.

Barry's display has faced pockets of criticism after he was unable to capitalise when half chances presented themselves against Mikel Arteta's side.

Under next to no pressure, Arsenal right-back Ben White attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper David Raya, unaware that the Everton striker was lurking after an attack broke down. Barry could have netted a one-v-one opportunity but rushed to take a touch and the Gunners keeper regained possession.

Speaking on the Toffees Unwrapped podcast, Hughes said: "I think he did really well to hook it goalwards. I don't think he had the time to stop and do things differently really.

"My problem with Barry on Saturday was when you're playing Arsenal, and we know they're the best defence in the Premier League, one of the best in Europe if not the best, you don't really get the chance to do things two or three times.

"You have got to do the simple things and the simple things quickly. Sometimes, on occasions, and they were limited, he tried to be too smart. When the ball is played into you, just play it into your team-mates and move into an advanced position, I don't think he did that enough.

"I think he wasn't smart enough. I wouldn't blame him for the chance he missed but I think Everton really lacked in the final third."

Co-host Giulia Bould added: "I think he has to take some responsibility for this. Sometimes I do feel that as a striker you have to start creating things and I just feel he can't hold the ball up very well and I feel like sometimes strikers have to be ready to pounce and create something from nothing. I don't feel he has the ability to do that, so I don't think that comes into play."

Listen to the full episode below or on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Henry: All in all, it was another victory that should boost the confidence of our boys. However, we were sloppy in possession and at times struggled to stream passes together without turning over possession to the opponent. On the flip side, great performance from Gabriel and Konsa.

Philip: A comfortable win with some fluid play in the middle third but still too lateral. Madueke was better on the left, cutting in earlier and feeding the central players better - not dissimilar to Dowman on the right. Still more to offer but getting there! Great to see both centre backs on the scoresheet!

Ndnni: Wasn't an easy win for the champions. The game should have been buried in the first half. Unfortunately, it's results like this that make Arteta not pursue a proven finisher.

Harry: Three more points on a day when Man City dropped three. We seem to be picking up more than our share of injuries though. Overall a good result. A win at Fleetwood on Tuesday please.

Everton fans

Paul: Another game of missed chances. We defended really well but are not clinical enough. We have players on the bench who could freshen things up but it's the same old same old. This is the champions we played so it was always going to be tough. Fingers crossed we can do something against Newcastle mid-week.

Steve: Moyes' record against top six teams tells you all you need to know about his lack of tactical ability - too defensive from the off and no subs when it's obvious to all that the tactics are not working.

Lee: Regardless of small squad, Moyes is very much setting up his team not to get beat! All the attacking threat players sat watching and wondering why they are not involved! You need goals to win games not clean sheets. Time for Moyes to go to Celtic and get Lee Carsley to turn our form around!

Mike: Rinse and repeat performance from Everton. Zero desire to actually try and win the game but sadly I expected no other outcome. While we have a small squad, Moyes continues to persist with square pegs in round holes. Dibling and Hackney must wonder what they must do to start a game. Johnson and Garner are both miles off it.

Everton's Merlin Rohl says the Toffees "tried everything" against Arsenal, but conceding in the opening 10 minutes "didn't help at all".

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside following the 2-0 defeat, Rohl added: "Creating chances isn't easy, but it's something we need to improve when playing forward."

Hit play above to listen to Rohl

Manchester United are targeting a move for 24-year-old Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they aim to make big changes to their defence. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Wise
Final score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Gabriel bullied Thierno Barry in Arsenal's win over Everton.

That's not a startling statement. The Brazilian is a beast of a centre-back, and Barry isn't the first, and won't be the last Premier League striker to emerge from Gabriel's pocket at the end of a game.

However, there's a wider problem for Everton. If it isn't working with Barry, what next? The severe shortage of strikers looks like it's beginning to catch up with Everton now. David Moyes did all he could to get one during the summer, but how costly is that going to be for the club?

We've seen before with Barry that he is a striker who plays off confidence. That self-belief looked like it was slowly draining out of his game at the Emirates. The longer the match went on, the less impactful he was.

Everton might now have to go for a slightly unorthodox 'Plan B' option in their forward line, just to relieve the pressure on Barry. But what that might consist of is anybody's guess.

David Moyes spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Everton's defeat against Arsenal: "[Going 1-0 down early] made it hard and we couldn't really get ourselves back into the game after that.

"Huffed and puffed a little bit, stuck at it for long parts of the game, which was good. We never gave them anything easy but, in the end, we didn't have enough."

On Arsenal's first goal: "I need to see it again but I know it was a little bit scruffy at the back post. We didn't quite clear it or get a touch on it. But, apart from that, we defended pretty well from most [set pieces]."

On Jake O'Brien and Tyrique George: "I thought they both did well today, they both played well. I thought a lot of the players did a good job today.

"We didn't do enough in an attacking sense but we certainly did a really good job defensively, try to make it difficult.

"But we really wanted to score some goals. We had a couple of chances, Thierno [Barry] in the first half and then a bit unlucky with Keirnan [Dewsbury-Hall] late in the game. But we certainly need to do that better than we did today."

On why he was booked: "I don't know. I felt for [the referee] today because I thought he was really poor, so I felt for him."

Did you know?

This was Moyes' 400th defeat across all competitions in his managerial career with all clubs. 31 of these have come against Arsenal, more than against any other opponent.

Hear more from Moyes on BBC Sounds

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Everton just cannot win at Arsenal in the league under David Moyes. In 13 previous attempts, they have lost 10 and drawn three.

Their challenge arguably became harder for Everton's small squad when it was revealed that Jack Grealish was missing from the squad through illness.

The visitors were well drilled though, and although they were second best for larger parts of the game, they did have opportunities to make this a harder afternoon for Arsenal.

Tyrique George's effort was deflected wide in the first half while Garner forced David Raya into a save but the best of the chances fell to Thierno Barry.

White flicked a header goalwards and Barry read the pass but could only poke the ball close to Raya, who saved well.

Harrison Armstrong put in a solid performance in the middle of the pitch and is one of a few positives that Moyes can take from this defeat.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

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AFC Fylde have signed goalkeeper George Pickford on a short-term loan deal from Everton.

The 19-year-old has featured for Everton's U-18 and U-21 sides and appeared for Southport on loan during the second half of last season.

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David Moyes has made it clear to his Everton squad that there "won't be any excuses at the end of the season" if they do not meet expectations despite their small squad, says midfielder Harrison Armstrong.

After a difficult summer in which the Toffees missed out on several targets and lost star attacker Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, as well as Armstrong himself coming close to an exit before fan protests forced a U-turn, Moyes accepted he has "to live with disappointments" after admitting he wanted to do more business on transfer deadline day.

"I've been at Everton all my life so I know what this club entails," 19-year-old Armstrong told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"One thing we won't be doing is making excuses for why we're not performing on the pitch.

"As long as we can field 11 players on the pitch there is no excuse why we can't be working hard and why we can't be competing with some of the best teams.

"It's been made clear to us that there won't be any excuses at the end of the season. Ultimately, we have to take it game by game and we could be in a better position, but we're going to do everything we can to finish in those European places."

On the impact Moyes has had on his young career, Armstrong added: "He has a good balance. He's someone I can learn off so much and when he does speak highly of me it is so nice. But, I know he wants to improve me and push me on and sometimes the best way to do that is to be honest and that is what he is.

"All I can take is positives from him. He has so much experience and he's going to catapult me in my career."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Manchester City (12:30)

• Arsenal v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Coventry City v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Chelsea v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Tottenham" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Fulham match", for example.

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Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

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Arsenal were so ugly in the way they beat Nottingham Forest last weekend, but were a lot easier on the eye in the midweek draw with Bayern Munich.

They are going to be without the injured Bukayo Saka for this game, but they are at home and they should still have too much for Everton.

Everton will make it tough for them, of course, but I am not sure how they will hurt the Gunners.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

In this week's edition of The Football Interview, Kelly Somers speaks to the former Burnley, Everton, and Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche.

They speak about life after management, being a football dad, his love for cooking and Brian Clough's influence.

Listen to the podcast by pressing play above, or on BBC Sounds

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

Finishing was a problem last weekend for Arsenal, who had 74% possession but only one shot on target against Nottingham Forest. It was one of their "finishers", as manager Mikel Arteta likes to call substitutes, who yet again saved the day.

That shot from Noni Madueke, which deflected into the Forest net 10 minutes from time, meant that it was their third Premier League victory in a row in which a player from the bench had scored the winner.

It may not have been pretty but it was enough for three points, and is further proof of Arteta's ability to make game-changing substitutions.

Since the Spaniard's appointment in December 2019, Arsenal have scored more winning goals from substitutes than any other team, and their tally of three this season is already halfway towards the record of six, also set by Arteta's team in 2024-25.

It was Arsenal's 32nd 1-0 win in the Premier League of Arteta's tenure, the joint-highest figure in that time frame, along with Everton. So, there might not be goals galore on Saturday - not least because Everton also struggled in attack last weekend against Chelsea, failing to score in a Premier League home game for the first time since February.

They had just six shots, their fewest in a Premier League game in nearly a year.

They could have their work cut out to improve on that at the Emirates. This season, Arsenal have conceded just five league goals, facing fewer shots on target (21) and having a lower xG against (5.6) than any other side.

The Toffees have won just one of their past 30 away Premier League matches against the Gunners, losing 24 of those. Under David Moyes, Everton have never won away at Arsenal in the league in 13 attempts, losing 10 times in that run.

But Everton had gone undefeated in the league this season until last weekend, so Moyes will have hope of breaking his Arsenal duck, which would also end his side's eight-game winless run on the road, and could propel the Toffees up into the top five in the Premier League.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On injuries, Moyes said Everton have "our fair share of bits and pieces", but didn't give any more detail than that. When asked specifically about Jarrad Branthwaite, he again refused to comment.

• He said Christian Norgaard is "a little bit further away than we'd hoped" after coming off the bench for the final moments against Chelsea, adding: "He has trained and he's had about three weeks [with us]. We were thinking we could give him the final 15, 20 minutes. We didn't think he was going to be back fully firing until after the next international break."

• On contract talks: "Stability at a club is really important, and under the Friedkins I've felt a real sense of stability. Being a manager, I think they are a big part of stability - but we're also in a world where managers change very quickly. There's always been developments and talks [over a contract] have taken place. Things are a bit quiet at the moment and I'm guessing that's to do with the situation we're in."

• On the game time of Tyler Dibling, Hayden Hackey and Tyrique George: "My history would suggest that Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Tim Cahill might have had to wait a bit of time to become first-team regulars. I'm not saying these boys have to do that but hopefully they develop as well as those boys did."

• When asked about resting Thierno Barry, who is the only recognised striker at the club: "It's difficult because he gives us a focal point. If we didn't play him people would [question it], but we will [rest him] if we think there's opportunities to. Finding someone might not be easy, but we're looking at the squad and what we can do."

• Moyes says there is a "big consideration" of moving Jack Grealish to a more inside role.

• On Saturday's opponents: "I thought we did really well against them down at the Emirates [last season]. I look back at the team we had and we were pretty threadbare. I hope we can do the same again."

Hit play above to hear more from Moyes or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Saturday

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Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong has reflected on the "awkward situation" in August where a proposed deal to sell him to Nottingham Forest was called off following a backlash from the club's supporters.

Forest made a bid of £40m plus a potential sell-on clause for the England Under-19 international but the news enraged Toffees fans, who sang Armstrong's name throughout their draw at Bournemouth and said there would be a "riot" if he was sold.

The 19-year-old was named player of the match in the 1-1 draw.

"It was a weird day for me," Armstrong told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

"Not many people get to experience that and get that ticked off so early. It is something I'll be better for.

"Out of an awkward situation I felt so much love from the fans, the staff, and from my team-mates who showed me so much support that morning before the game. It really helped me clear my head and gave me a good foundation where I felt I could perform in the game."

Armstrong is seen as a beacon of light from Everton's academy set up and is so highly regarded that he has been touted as a future club captain.

In the game against Bournemouth, the away support was so loud, and their opposition to the potential deal so strong, it was heard by Everton's delegation at the Vitality stadium and relayed back to the ownership group in the United States.

"It was surreal to be honest," Armstrong added.

"I don't think I'll ever experience something like that [again]. I'm so grateful for it. I was trying to balance being starstruck by all the fans singing and showing how much passion they have, but obviously the game was still going on and I was up against some really high level players so I couldn't let my concentration go too much.

"It's the club I've been at all my life and I've always been in an Everton shirt, so for me to have that moment, the appreciation for the fans was massive for me. It's only motivated me more to kick on with the club."

Listen to the full chat by pressing below or on BBC Sounds here

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Charlotte Northover from Toffee TV believes Everton are "eventually going to run out of steam" if manager David Moyes continues to select the same players with little rotation.

"He's got a small squad, but he's still not using all the subs," Northover told BBC Radio Merseyside. "We have so much potential on the bench and we're not using them.

"Moyes chooses experience over potential, but every time the younger players have come on they have impressed.

"I would love to see Tyler Dibling start, but he's not going to if Jack Grealish is starting because they both hold play up.

"Every time he has come on he has impressed me. I don't know what these young players have to do to earn a spot. It's a bit frustrating."

Hear Northover's full thoughts below or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Merlin Rohl, speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about playing as a right-back for Everton this season: "I just enjoy playing for this club, in every position. I love the opportunity to get minutes.

"I love the position and I would never say that I enjoy one more than the other. Maybe I like right-back even more!

"Leighton [Baines] is big part of my development. In this position, we do a lot of sessions where we look and talk about stuff. He helps me a lot."

On adapting to the Premier League after moving from the Bundesliga: "The demands [are high] on the players to physically and technically be on the level in every game. It's different to the league I experienced before. It's much faster and the players are so much stronger.

"The rhythm of the game is different as well. You have many more sprints and you're going in to both sides most of the game. It's a huge difference to the Bundesliga."

Listen to more from Rohl below or on BBC Sounds here

Everton are monitoring Dinamo Zagreb's 24-year-old Croatia striker Dion Beljo as one of several options in the January window. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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