Everton Round-Up, Friday 23rd October: Moyes Coy on Branthwaite as Everton Prepare to Face Champions Arsenal
David Moyes used his pre-match press conference to preview Saturday's trip to defending champions Arsenal, with the manager keeping Jarrad Branthwaite's fitness firmly under wraps rather than confirm his availability (Liverpool Echo) (EvertonFC.com) (Read Everton) (Read Everton). The boss also gave an update on Christian Norgaard, admitting the midfielder remains "probably a bit further away" than hoped in terms of match sharpness after his recent debut (ToffeeWeb) (Read Everton) (Read Everton). Norgaard reportedly apologised to Moyes after that Chelsea debut, with the manager also offering an assessment of Jack Grealish in the same discussion (Liverpool Echo).
Moyes used the briefing to encourage patience among Everton's younger players, specifically naming Tyrique George, Tyler Dibling and Hayden Hackney and urging them to grab their opportunities when they come (ToffeeWeb). On the subject of Hackney, Read Everton has asked whether the time has come for Moyes to give the midfielder more freedom, suggesting he offers a quality the side have occasionally lacked this season (Read Everton). Elsewhere, Moyes also gave a brief contract update as he enters the final year of his deal, alongside a fresh verdict on academy product Harrison Armstrong (Liverpool Echo).
Saturday's game at the Emirates is being widely previewed across the site network, with ToffeeWeb, Royal Blue Mersey and Prince Rupert's Tower all previewing the test against the champions and the need for Everton to respond after last weekend's performance against Chelsea (ToffeeWeb) (Prince Rupert's Tower) (Royal Blue Mersey). Everton's own channel has also pointed supporters towards live coverage and highlights information for the match (EvertonFC.com), plus an away-day guide for those making the trip to north London for the first time (Read Everton). Assistant Billy Phelan's excitement looking ahead to Premier League action was also shared via the club's official website, referencing an upcoming Villa test (EvertonFC.com).
Away from team news, the Liverpool Echo's Everton jury discussed the reality of the club's transfer business following the Chelsea defeat, with Moyes said to have been sent a fresh warning ahead of the Arsenal game (Liverpool Echo). Also via the Echo, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been described as "not a proper defender" by pundits after his summer arrival from Olympique Lyonnais ended a near two-year search for a new right-back (Liverpool Echo). Separately, Moyes was said to be in a "difficult situation" at Everton, managing with a squad of only 18 outfield players amid the club being up for sale, though he was backed to still make his Blues flourish (Liverpool Echo).
On the finance side, football finance expert Kieran Maguire told Read Everton he has heard a few "horror stories" regarding The Friedkin Group's ownership, though he dismissed any suggestion the club would have been better off under Josh Wander and 777 (Read Everton) (Read Everton). Meanwhile, former striker Yakubu believes Everton need to bring in extra competition up front in January to get the best out of Thierno Barry (ToffeeWeb). In squad news, academy graduate Tom Davies is set to turn out for Everton again, three years after leaving, featuring for the under-21s against Wolves as he looks to earn a professional contract elsewhere (Liverpool Echo). Finally, ToffeeWeb has asked whether Grealish's quiet start to his second Everton spell is becoming a genuine concern as October draws on (ToffeeWeb).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.