Dyche to face Arsenal in first Everton match with Arteta's opinion clear on incoming Toffees boss

Sean Dyche will face Arsenal in his first Everton match, should he be appointed as Toffees boss.

Dyche is expected to be named as Everton’s new manager, succeeding Frank Lampard who was sacked earlier this week.

After talks with Everton’s hierarchy, the former Burnley boss was thought to be the main contender for the job, alongside the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa.

While Bielsa was reportedly the favoured choice of owner Farhad Moshiri, the Argentinian is said to have expressed reservations about taking over in mid-season while he questioned whether the squad would fit his physically demanding style.

There were also allegedly doubts over Bielsa’s expensive demands.

In turn, Dyche is set to be appointed, with his first game against table toppers Arsenal on February 4.

Arteta on Dyche

Dyche takes charge of an Everton side currently 19th in the table, two points from safety.

To hit the ground running as Toffees boss he will need to beat Arsenal, a team five points clear at the Premier League summit that has lost just once all season.

Furthermore, the 51-year-old has a dismal record against the north London side, having won just one of his 15 meetings against the Gunners, a 1-0 triumph back in December 2020.

Nevertheless Arsenal boss Arteta has much admiration for Dyche, having expressed his sympathies for the manager when he was sacked by Burnley last season.

Arteta said: “I only have words of praise because what he’s done at the club over the last ten years is phenomenal.

“He gave the club a really clear identity, he’s managed to keep the team, with one of the smallest budgets, consistently in the league.

“I wish him the best of luck and as always with colleagues, it’s sad when you see those decisions.”