Everton v Arsenal

Everton were among the Football League's twelve founders in 1888, while Arsenal, already two years old, were still five years from joining the competition.

Everton are one of twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888, establishing themselves as a force in English football from the very start. Arsenal, founded as Royal Arsenal in Woolwich in 1886, would not join the League until 1893, when they were elected to the Second Division. The two clubs' paths would not cross in league competition for another decade.

The south's sole top-flight club, making the long journey north to face champions Everton.

Woolwich Arsenal win promotion to the First Division in 1904, setting up the first top-flight league meetings with Everton in the 1904-05 season. Arsenal are the only south-east club in the division, travelling north to Goodison Park for what becomes a regular fixture. Everton, already established as league champions in 1891, are the more decorated side at this point.

Five league titles between 1931 and 1938 made Arsenal the dominant force of the decade, though Everton carved out two championships of their own.

The 1930s belong to both clubs. Arsenal, under Herbert Chapman and then George Allison, win five league titles between 1931 and 1938. Everton claim the championship in 1931-32 and again in 1938-39, with Dixie Dean's goalscoring legend still fresh in the memory. Matches between the two are top-of-the-table affairs, watched by enormous crowds at Highbury and Goodison Park alike.

The only ground beyond London to host a World Cup semi-final; Goodison needed no introduction.

Everton's Goodison Park is selected as a venue for the 1966 World Cup, hosting five matches including the semi-final between West Germany and the Soviet Union. It is the only ground outside London to host a semi-final, cementing its reputation as one of English football's great theatres. The ground's atmosphere on big occasions becomes part of the fixture's identity whenever Arsenal visit.

Kendall's Everton claimed two titles and a European trophy; Arsenal were still learning to keep up.

Howard Kendall's Everton win the league title in 1984-85 and again in 1986-87, with the European Cup Winners' Cup sandwiched in between. Arsenal, rebuilding under Don Howe and then George Graham, are chasing Everton's coat-tails. The fixture takes on a new edge as both clubs compete for domestic supremacy. Graham's Arsenal would eventually overtake Everton, winning the title dramatically in 1989.

Wenger's continental revolution swept English football; Everton simply tried to stay in it.

Arsène Wenger's revolution transforms Arsenal into the most exciting side in England. The 1997-98 Double is followed by another in 2001-02. Everton, by contrast, spend much of this period battling relegation. The fixture becomes a study in contrasts: Wenger's fluid, continental football against Everton's gritty survival instinct. Goodison Park remains one of the toughest away trips in the league, regardless of the table positions.

Everton's fourth-place finish in 2005 was their highest in seventeen years; suddenly, Moyes had them level with Arsenal again.

David Moyes engineers one of the Premier League's great overachievements, guiding Everton to a fourth-place finish in 2004-05 and Champions League qualification. It is the club's highest finish since 1987-88. Arsenal, adjusting to life after the Invincibles season, finish second. The two clubs are suddenly competing on level terms again, a throwback to the 1930s and 1980s.

Over 130 years of history at Goodison Park end this season; Arsenal are among the last sides ever to play there.

The 2024-25 season marks Everton's final campaign at Goodison Park, their home since 1892. The club moves to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on Liverpool's waterfront, a 52,888-capacity ground that opens a new chapter in the club's history. Every visiting side this season, Arsenal included, plays their last competitive match at one of English football's most atmospheric and storied venues. Over 130 years of memories at Goodison come to a close.