The youthful exuberance of Ross Barkley could give new boy Mohamed Elneny a rough ride at Goodison Park, writes Alex Keble...
Arsenal’s injuries have certainly contributed to their wilting form this spring.
Aaron Ramsey’s latest setback has thrust Mohamed Elneny into the first team ahead of schedule, and thus Everton’s Ross Barkley – on a good run of form – will expect to dominate his zone of the pitch against Arsenal’s new central-midfield partnership.
Francis Coquelin was back to his best against Watford (6 tackles, 3 interceptions) after a shaky few matches since recovering from injury, but his new partner Elneny is still adjusting to life in the Premier League. The Egyptian looked strong against Barcelona in midweek but has amassed just two tackles in his four Arsenal matches this season.
Although his tactical positioning looks promising, Elneny is perhaps being dribbled past too often; attacking midfielders Christian Eriksen (5 key passes) and Troy Deeney (3 key passes) were dominant figures in Arsenal’s last two matches.
Bite of Bark
Barkley’s two assists against Chelsea epitomised his powerful contribution to Everton this season, and in such good form Elneny may be overpowered by the young English playmaker.
Roberto Martinez’s short-passing tactical philosophy (82.4% pass accuracy, third highest in the division) focuses on narrow passing lines (that use Barkley as a fulcrum) and a lopsided use of wingers.
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While Tom Cleverley floats in from the left wing to help overload this area of the pitch (thus sucking the game inwards), Gerard Deulofeu (or Aaron Lennon) hugs the touchline to exploit space on the right flank.
With Elneny and Coquelin likely to have a battle on their hands against Cleverley, Barkley and Muhamed Besic, it’s easy to imagine Arsenal being caught out – either by pace on the right or Barkley’s well-executed through balls.
