OPINION
Everton suffered a huge setback last weekend when a rampant West Ham secured their first win of the season at a beleaguered Goodison Park.
The 3-1 loss really took the gloss of what has been a promising start to the Marco Silva era on Merseyside, and they now face a really tough test to get back on track against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Gunners are coming in to the match after a solid Europa League victory in midweek saw them win four in a row in all competitions under Unai Emery.
Everton will have their work cut out if they want to secure a result against the Gunners on Sunday at the Emirates, and that means that Silva must get his team selection spot on.
The biggest change that he will have to make is in defence, which was a huge problem area against the Hammers last weekend.
Silva revealed in the pre-match press conference that summer signing Yerry Mina had been in full training all week with the squad.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Silva said: “Mina is working with the team, for the full week until now. He’s getting better every day, getting in a good fitness as well.”
The 6ft 5in Colombia international [Transfermarkt] has been struggling with injury and fitness since his £30million move from Barcelona this summer, but now looks back and ready to rock.
While it may be a big risk to throw him straight in against a team like Arsenal, that is exactly what Silva must do on Sunday.
Mina is a dominant, no-nonsense centre-back who can nullify dangerous attacks with his strength and size, while also possessing decent pace for a big man.
He is also comfortable on the ball and can spring attacks from the back, which is exactly what Everton are going to need to do away against the Gunners.
A partnership of Mina and Kurt Zouma would be a seriously formidable one for the Toffees, with youngster Mason Holgate dropping out of the side.
It is a risk for Silva but one that is necessary against a dangerous Gunners side who will rip through their defence if it remains the same as last week against West Ham.