Everton's Right-Back Conundrum Ahead of Arsenal

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has become Everton's first-choice right-back so far this season, but David Moyes doesn't appear to be fully convinced by him. 

The right-back position was a key topic of discussion during the summer transfer window, and if we're honest, it has been for quite a few years now. Finding a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman has been a priority, and Maitland-Niles was brought in from Lyon in the summer for around £4m. 

With it being a cheap option at the age of 29, Everton are still kicking the can down the road slightly. Maitland-Niles is a decent option for the Toffees and a necessity at the moment, but when a club is allowing you to sign him for just £4m, he's never going to be a world-beater, realistically. 

This leaves Everton in a position where it's a good chance they'll be chasing another right-back next summer. 

As it stands, Everton's options are Jake O'Brien, Merlin Rohl, and Maitland-Niles. Against Chelsea, Maitland-Niles started with Rohl finishing the game, and Moyes now has a decision to make when it comes to who is going to start against Arsenal. 

In the Premier League games that Maitland-Niles has started, he's yet to end the game on the pitch. Against Tottenham, he was substituted around 75 minutes. Against Ipswich, he was taken off in the final few minutes, while he lasted 78 minutes against Hull.

Against Chelsea, it was the earlier substitution so far, with Moyes opting to bring on Tyrique George after just 55 minutes.

This shows that Moyes isn't 100% sold on Maitland-Niles. In reality, Everton have a right-back conundrum once again, with the disappointing summer transfer window leaving them in a difficult position. 

Everton are now preparing for one of the toughest games of the season as they make the trip down to Arsenal. Maitland-Niles might have a point to prove against his former club, and there's no doubt he will be desperate to play. 

Thankfully, Arsenal's left-hand side is one of their weakest positions, especially with Christos Tzolis being out. Eberechi Eze started on the left in their previous game, before Noni Madueke came off the bench to score. 

Knowing Moyes, a very defensive line-up is likely on the way for Everton. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Everton setup in their usual 4-2-3-1, but it turns into a 5-4-1 out of possession. 

The above setup out of possession wouldn't be a surprise, with O'Brien coming in as the right-back on paper. Rohl could keep his place as he's able to drop into that right-back role, meaning O'Brien tucks in more centrally. 

O'Brien would also help from set-pieces, and if we're honest, Everton are going to be camped defending their own box for large portions of the game. 

The back three would allow Everton to have more joy in limiting Arsenal. The Gunners like to create triangles out wide, and having a wide centre-back who can press into wide areas, while still keeping two centre-back players in the middle, would be beneficial. 

It's not the most exciting or progressive way of setting up, but we're trying to look through the eyes of Moyes. 

O'Brien feels like the most likely to start for Everton, despite his lack of game time of late, with Rohl playing as the right-midfield / right-wing-back hybrid.