Pundit moots ‘key’ role for ‘confident and assertive’ Jarrad Branthwaite in Everton clash v Arsenal
Jarrad Branthwaite will be a “key figure” when Everton take on Arsenal in the Premier League, according to pundit Adrian Clarke.
The Merseyside outfit welcome the North London club to Goodison Park in league action on Sunday (17 September).
Branthwaite, who spent last season on loan at Dutch side PSV, has made two Everton appearances in the new league campaign.
“Confident and assertive, despite making only eight league starts for Everton in total, he is sure to be a key figure against Arsenal at Goodison Park on Sunday,” Clarke wrote for the official Premier League website.
“Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was outstanding in the 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane, and in front of him Branthwaite – who has been partnered by James Tarkowski – is catching the eye too.
“He has exuded confidence in his last two appearances, using his frame and physicality well.”
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
Top talent
Given the club’s struggles in recent times, many supporters may be wondering why Branthwaite wasn’t fast-tracked into the first team sooner.
Perhaps the youngster simply wasn’t ready for this standard of football last season, instead gaining valuable experience at PSV.
There, he made 36 appearances in all competitions, playing in both the Eredivisie and the Europa League. In fact, in the latter competition, he lined up against the Gunners, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 group stage victory.
Toffees manager Sean Dyche can only dream of a similar result on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal undoubtedly set to come out all guns blazing from the first whistle.
Remaining on the bench for the first two games of the new season, Branthwaite now looks to have won over his manager, and could retain his place in the squad for the rest of the campaign if he keeps up his impressive performances.
In other Everton news, a pundit has shared an “almost faultless” verdict on one Toffees ace amid the international break.
