The manner in which Arsenal dealt with Coventry City on Friday evening provided exactly the model I hope to witness from Everton when they face Preston North End.
Opening the Premier League campaign with a night fixture against a newly-promoted opponent can prove challenging. As reigning champions, anything less than a convincing victory would have invited scrutiny, and that pressure intensifies when the opposing side has no expectations hanging over them.
Mikel Arteta opted for a strong starting lineup and aimed to establish dominance immediately. The team commanded respect, imposed themselves on their rivals, harrying them and applying high pressure. The breakthrough came after a quarter of an hour, and by the time Bukayo Saka doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, the outcome was essentially settled.
Coventry deserve their Premier League status, but Arsenal dismantled them swiftly, which entitled them to operate within themselves for the remainder of the encounter.
I would favour Everton adopting an identical approach for the Preston fixture. They represent a prestigious club with passionate supporters and capable players, yet while they ought not to be dismissed, they remain a second-tier outfit unable to match our standards.
Cup competitions have delivered nothing but frustration, and we cannot afford to depart another ground with our ambitions for a cup run shattered before the campaign gains any real pace.
Arsenal maintained their standards throughout, and I expect to observe that same attitude from David Moyes’ squad. Countless Everton sides have descended to their opponents’ level in these early knockout stages, transforming a football match into a physical battle, which plays directly into the underdog’s hands. That must not occur at Deepdale.
Everton must treat the cup seriously, and I would anticipate them fielding a competitive eleven, though not necessarily their very best available side. For instance, I would consider giving Jarrad Branthwaite a breather simply to ensure he manages his fitness during the opening phase of what promises to be a significant season for the centre-back.
I suggest this not because I harboured concerns following the Crystal Palace performance. He hit the ground several times, and while I comprehend why those around me were anxious, I believe he would have welcomed every moment of it.
Occasionally as a defender returning from injury, you need those reminders that your body can handle the rigours. You accumulate minor knocks and feel stiff the following day, yet you have been reassured of your durability. Completing the full ninety minutes would have left him satisfied, waking the next morning with the thought that he has returned.
For those who did not feature from the start on Saturday but receive their chance midweek, my expectation is that they will seek to demonstrate why Moyes was incorrect to overlook them. They must display appetite. That constituted one of my significant concerns when Everton exited to Wolves in the Carabao Cup third round last campaign.
He implemented numerous alterations, yet I imagine his intention was for those receiving an opportunity to push their claims. They failed to do so, which circles back to the question of mental approach.
I want Everton to begin purposefully and ensure this represents Preston’s sternest examination all season. Only once Everton have justified doing so should they contemplate easing the intensity.