Ronald Koeman will hope coming up against Arsene Wenger again gets the best out of him and his players when Everton host Arsenal in the Premier League on Tuesday. During his time at Southampton, Koeman had many a run-in and positive result against Wenger and Arsenal, and it is to that record he will look at when the Premier League game comes calling at Goodison Park.
It might be a different team, but Koeman has had Wenger and Arsenal in trouble on a number of occasions in the past, and if the Dutchman can take that form at Everton as well, the home team will be able to break the dismal run they are in at the moment.
With just one win in ten matches in the Premier League, the pressure is on Everton to take all three points against Arsenal, especially after falling to Watford on Saturday.
"Arsenal is different to Watford," Koeman said. "They play differently and have world-class players. We know what we need to do. If we keep a compact team, we can make it difficult.
"This Arsenal team is better than it was. I had the experience with Southampton of beating Arsenal several times but I think this Arsenal team has more balance between defending and attacking."
Style and steel together has been a lot more evident for Arsenal this season, something Wenger has espoused and been working on for a while. The ease with which Arsenal came back from a goal down against Stoke City at the Emirates on Saturday showed just how high the confidence is at the moment and what Everton need to do is try and deflate that high and bring in a bit of the doubt by taking early control of the game.
Not allowing Arsenal to find their rhythm in the first half will be a start, while that defence of Everton's will also need to be at the top of their game, shutting out even the half chances that might come the away side's way.
"I think they had a strong start, Everton, and overall they are one of the dangerous teams where you look at the schedule and you need a strong performance to get the points," Wenger said. "(Koeman) has changed them. I believe he has started very well."
Where to Watch Live
Everton vs Arsenal is set to being at 7.45pm GMT (2.45pm ET, 1.15am IST). Live Streaming and TV information.
India: TV: Star Sports Select HD1. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
UK: TV: BT Sport 1. Live Streaming: Watch BT Sport.
USA: TV: NBCSN. Live Streaming: NBC Sports Live.
Canada: TV: TSN4 and TSN5. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
Australia: TV: Optus Sport. Live Streaming: Optus Online.
