Everton’s David Moyes on Arsenal’s Form in Pre-Match Presser

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Everton manager David Moyes spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game at Arsenal. Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is at 3pm on Saturday 24 October, with Tony Harrington as referee.

Moyes was guarded on team news, including the availability of Jarrad Branthwaite, and most of his answers were about Nørgaard’s fitness. Arsenal are second in the table on 18 points and Everton are eighth on 10.

Keeping team news private

“We’ve got our share of bits and pieces and we’ll keep them quiet.”

What he said

Moyes was asked about Everton’s injury situation and confirmed there are minor issues in the squad. He said he would not make them public before the game.

What he meant

Moyes is withholding information from Arsenal about who will be available, and he did not name anyone in this answer. Everton have won one, drawn three and lost one of their last five league matches, and he gave nothing away that could shape Arsenal’s preparation.

No update on Branthwaite

“I wouldn’t be answering any questions [on team news], at the minute, that’s for sure.”

What he said

Asked specifically about Branthwaite’s availability, Moyes declined to give any team news.

What he meant

The answer confirms nothing either way about Branthwaite. Everton have conceded seven goals in seven league games, and Moyes has chosen not to say who will be in his back line.

Why Nørgaard came on

“It actually wasn’t a difficult decision to bring him on, because he’s trained.”

What he said

Moyes explained his decision to use Nørgaard as a substitute in last week’s game. He said Nørgaard had been training with the squad.

What he meant

Moyes presents the decision as straightforward and based on training rather than a gamble. It shows Nørgaard is available to the squad, but only in a limited role for now.

Further away than hoped

“But I think when we brought him on we realised he’s a little bit further away than we hoped.”

What he said

Moyes said Everton’s staff learned from Nørgaard’s time on the pitch that he is not as close to full fitness as they had hoped.

What he meant

This is an open admission that the substitute appearance showed a gap in Nørgaard’s fitness. It makes a start against Arsenal less likely, though Moyes did not rule one in or out.

Return not expected until after the break

“But we also expected that, we didn’t think he was going to be back fully firing until probably after the next international break, because he’s had no real pre-season with us.”

What he said

Moyes said the club had already expected a slow return. He put the likely date for Nørgaard to be fully fit at after the next international break and blamed his lack of a pre-season with Everton.

What he meant

By saying the setback was expected, Moyes is playing down any alarm. The timeline suggests Everton will plan around Nørgaard’s gradual return rather than rushing him into a fixture against the league’s second-placed side.

A start he is glad he avoided

“There was actually part of me last week that was half considering starting him, and I’m glad I didn’t.”

What he said

Moyes revealed that he had briefly thought about starting Nørgaard in last week’s game. He said he was glad he did not.

What he meant

Moyes now believes a start would have been too soon, which is consistent with his comments about Nørgaard being further away than hoped. Everton lost last time out, 2-0 at home, and he still stands by that decision.

Nørgaard’s role in the squad

“He’s training great, he’s a brilliant character behind the scenes for the players, so we’re just hoping to get him back into full condition.”

What he said

Moyes ended his comments on Nørgaard by praising his work in training and his influence on the other players. He said the aim is to get him back to full condition.

What he meant

The tone is supportive and patient. Moyes is separating Nørgaard’s fitness from his standing in the dressing room, and he links the player’s return to conditioning rather than to Saturday’s match.

Confidence check: Measured

Moyes sounded guarded rather than bullish. He did not talk up Everton’s chances against Arsenal and gave little detail on team news, repeating that he would keep matters quiet.

The table explains some of the caution. Arsenal have won six of their seven league games and have scored 11 and conceded five, while Everton have two wins, four draws and one defeat. Everton have drawn three of their last five league matches and lost 2-0 to Chelsea in their latest game.

Moyes did sound clear and settled on Nørgaard. He said the club expected a slow return and that he is glad he did not start the midfielder last week.

How to watch

Arsenal vs Everton is not shown live on UK television: Saturday 3pm kick-offs fall in the UK broadcast blackout.

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