As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott has gone on to suggest that Everton are struggling at the moment as they are not working hard enough for manager Ronald Koeman.
Arsenal managed to keep pace with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-1 victory over Stoke City during the weekend and the Gunners will now be looking to momentarily leapfrog the Blues at the summit by claiming another three points when they square off against Everton at Goodison Park tonight.
Everton are a good side but following a fine start to the season, they are currently on a terrible run of having claimed only one victory from their last ten matches and it would be fair to state that Arsenal head into the clash on Tuesday night as overwhelming favourites.
Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott has been speaking regarding Everton ahead of the clash and has gone on to make some controversial remarks regarding the Toffees’ group of players.
Walcott has stated that Everton possess a squad more than capable of challenging for the top four this season but has suggested that they are struggling at the moment due to the fact that the players are perhaps not working hard enough for manager Ronald Koeman.
Walcott questions Everton players' commitment towards Koeman
The England international was quoted saying by the Liverpool Echo, “They obviously started off the season very well. They have got some fantastic individual players and there is no reason why they can’t be right up there.
“Teams have a phase in a season and maybe their's is just now and they are going to push on in January. Last year, we were disappointed with how we finished because we didn’t work hard enough – it was there for us but we didn’t work hard enough to get it – and maybe Everton are at the same stage.
“Maybe Everton are at the same sort of stage at the moment. They are maybe not working as hard as Ronald wants them to do. But who knows? When Arsenal come to Goodison Park, I am sure they are going to be working hard so we just need to work harder than them.”
Walcott does have a point in saying that Everton are simply underperforming at the moment but they remain a dangerous side and Arsenal will surely have to play well in order to claim a victory at Goodison Park.
