Arteta Hopes Old Mentor Moyes Provides Crucial Assist In Arsenal's Title Quest
Mikel Arteta and David Moyes share a long-standing relationship, with the Arsenal manager hoping for a favour from the outgoing West Ham boss on Sunday. Arteta played under Moyes at Everton from 2005 to 2011. Now, Arteta's Arsenal must defeat Everton at Emirates Stadium on the final day of the season to have a chance at winning the Premier League title.
However, Arsenal's fate also depends on Moyes' West Ham, who face league leaders Manchester City. If Pep Guardiola's team wins, they will secure the title. The match at Etihad Stadium marks Moyes' final game as West Ham's manager, and Arteta hopes for one last favour from his former mentor.
"He's been instrumental and so important in my career, as a footballer and a person. He could help us to fulfil our dream and my personal dream to win the Premier League," Arteta said. "The only thing we've discussed is to give ourselves an opportunity to live a beautiful day. It's possible, it's football. We have to play like every single week. We have to win, then hope West Ham helps us achieve our dream. That first part is on us; it's the only thing we can focus on."
Everton, meanwhile, have little but pride and 15th place to play for, having already secured their safety. The club confirmed that Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young had been offered new contracts, while Everton activated a one-year extension to Idrissa Gueye's deal. Dele Alli's contract is up, but he will remain with Everton's medical staff to continue his rehab. Andre Gomes, Arnaut Danjuma, and Andy Lonergan will leave.
Director of football Kevin Thelwell stated that Everton will remain in discussions with Leeds United over Jack Harrison's future, with the winger set to return to Elland Road at the end of his loan deal.
Arsenal - Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has scored five Premier League goals on matchday 38, the most of any player currently in the competition. The Brazilian also has more Premier League goals against Everton than any other opponent (eight).
Everton - Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin is Everton's top scorer in away Premier League games this season with four goals. He has scored in his last two away matches, last netting in three consecutive games in November/December 2020.
Everton are winless in their last 10 Premier League away games (D4 L6), failing to score more than once in any of these matches. This is their longest run without an away win under the same manager since a run of 12 under Ronald Koeman between February and October 2017.
Arsenal's 86 points so far is already their third highest in a single Premier League campaign, following their title-winning seasons of 2001-02 (87) and 2003-04 (90). The Gunners' 89 goals this term is their most in a top-flight campaign since 1963-64 (90).
No side has lost their final game of the Premier League season more often than Everton (14). Arsenal have won their final Premier League game of the season more often than any other side (22), including the last 12 in a row, also having the best win rate in such matches in the competition (71 per cent). Arsenal have lost just one of their last 27 Premier League home games against Everton (W22 D4), going down 1-0 in April 2021.
Opta Win Probability
| Team | Win Probability |
|---|---|
| Arsenal | 61.9% |
| Everton | 14.5% |
| Draw | 23.6% |
Full belief until the very end pic.twitter.com/2MXG411cug
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 17, 2024
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