Arsenal vs. Everton Predictions: We're expecting the goals to flow at the Emirates

It's the final gameweek of the 2021/2022 season in the Premier League and we will have previews on site for all the big matches. We've asked our regular tipster JimmyThePunt to preview the match between Arsenal and Everton and he's given us a bumper four picks to get stuck into. 

A little over a week ago this clash in North London looked like it would have huge ramifications at both ends of the table. Arsenal were in pole position to secure that all important fourth spot that confirmed Champions League football would be returning to the Emirates next season whilst at the foot of the table, Everton were just two points above the dotted line.  

Mikel Arteta’s side were four points clear of their local rivals ahead of their trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In the two games that have transpired, we have seen a capitulation of gargantuan proportions, even by the Gunners standards. 

Arsenal were thumped 3-0 in the North London Derby- granted a Rob Holding sending off did not help proceedings- and went down with a whimper at St James’ Park with Newcastle good value for the 2-0 victory. 

Spurs’ narrow win over Burnley last Sunday means that, statistically, the Gunners chances of UCL qualification is at a slim 5% so it looks like they will have to reacquaint themselves with that troublesome Thursday/ Sunday Europa League schedule. 

As for the visitors, up until around 21:00 on Thursday evening, their bid for survival looked destined to go down to the last day. Crystal Palace raced into a 0-2 lead at Goodison which would have meant the Blues would have been only one point clear of Burnley and Leeds ahead of the final round of Premier League fixtures. 

Three second goals ensured Frank Lampard’s side's top flight status sparking pandemonium at full time and means that they head to the capital with the pressure off. 

With little riding on this fixture for either side, the goals may flow here. This has traditionally been the case on the final day of the EPL season as an average of three goals per game was scored last campaign with more than half of the ten matches seeing overs click. 

The remarkable fashion in which the visitors secured their survival on Thursday also lends itself to a goal laden game at the Emirates as the travelling support party atmosphere transcends onto the pitch. 

Lampard is not the most defensive minded coach at the best of times either. Since the turn of the year, his side have found the net in 62.5% of their 24 fixtures with the matches averaging just shy of three (2.875) goals per game. 

The hosts have failed to score in either of their last two games but have shipped five in the process. Prior to that, BTTS landed in each of their four fixtures against Leeds, West Ham, Manchester United and Chelsea. 

Since signing for Everton in 2016, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has improved year upon year. In his five seasons as a Blue, he has scored 40 goals with his seasonal tallies increasing each campaign, that was until this season. 

Blighted by injuries, the English international will have only managed 15 starts this season if he gets the nod at Arsenal, half of the amount he managed in the previous two. 

However, when physically able to get a run in the side, he scores goals. Prior to his injury in August, he scored three goals in as many games, racking up eleven shots in the process. He has also found the net in each of Everton’s last two fixtures, one of which being the winner vs Palace on Thursday. 

I think the 16/5 about him to score anytime with Unibet is a touch large, especially considering the same angle is 9/4 elsewhere. 

The fact that six players scored braces in five of the ten final day fixtures last campaign holds some significance as it depicts the blasé atmosphere, low stakes and lack of pressure synonymous with this round of fixtures. 

Sadio Mane, Nicholas Pepe, Pablo Fornals, Sergio Agüero, Jamie Vardy and Gareth Bale all hit the double late in May last year and I think at a whopping 25/1, taking DCL to follow suit is worth a punt on Sunday. 

I have already alluded to Arsenal’s recent defensive struggles. It is also worth pointing out DCL has scored two goals or more on nine separate occasions for Everton. 

He also boasted a goals per 90 average of 0.50 last season which directly converts to a price of 1/1 for him to score anytime. By comparison, Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah- Gp90 of 0.47 last campaign- is 5/4 to score anytime, 7/1 for a brace and 33/1 to score anytime.

I will also be chucking a couple of quid on a DCL hattrick at 250/1. This is a feat he managed twice last season and could provide some low risk, high reward interest if he does get a couple of early goals. 

Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.