David Moyes is in no doubt where the loyalty of Everton supporters will lie on Saturday. The Blues face Arsenal in the weekend’s early kick-off, providing the Gunners with a chance to close the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool.
But with the gap between the sides standing at 12 points with just two months of the season left, Moyes believes Arsenal’s attention may now be elsewhere. As for the Blues, he is concentrating on giving them the joy of a big win as he seeks a response to the narrow defeat at Anfield in midweek.
Speaking at Finch Farm, Moyes said: “I think Evertonians want their team to win every week and I think the league title is probably quite far away for Arsenal at the moment.”
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There was a time when Everton and Liverpool’s interests aligned on this fixture. Both clubs petitioned for the Merseyside derby to be moved to Tuesday.
That would have given Everton an extra day to prepare, something their cross-city rivals would have appreciated amid growing anxiety sparked by a drop in form before the international break.
The request was denied, however, leading Everton to a quick turnaround between matches against the top two. The importance of this game to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who played under Moyes in his first spell as Everton manager, has diminished in the meantime.
He is dealing with a defensive injury crisis and will have to decide how to use star player Bukayo Saka following his return from injury in midweek. With the title looking increasingly unlikely, Moyes is aware Arsenal’s priority may now be that date with Madrid.
He added: “I don’t know if they’ll have their mind more on the Champions League game on the Tuesday night.
"We’re talking about our turnaround with Arne Slot suggesting we have a disadvantage, it is a short turnaround for Arsenal to play on Saturday and Tuesday against Real Madrid.”
