Sean Dyche has prepared Everton for their clash with Arsenal by introducing three new rules at the club's training ground. The 51-year-old is set to take charge of the Toffees for the very first time after replacing Frank Lampard as they welcome the Gunners to Goodison Park.
Everton head into the clash with Mikel Arteta's side eight Premier League games without a win. Arsenal, on the other hand, have not lost a game since early September when Manchester United waltzed away 3-1 victors at Old Trafford.
So, eager to stamp his mark on Everton and transform the club's fortunes, Dyche has burst through the doors at Finch Farm and laid down the law. And, that's not to mention the multi-stage fitness test — otherwise known as 'the bleep test' — which he oversaw just days after into his tenure.
READ MORE: Arsenal face Barcelona transfer battle as Edu's £52.8m January target eyed for major summer move
Dyche has banned snoods and hats from Everton training sessions and every player must now wear shin pads. It's said that these were among the first rules issued to the squad. Speaking to the press ahead of the Merseyside club's clash with Arsenal, he laughed off claims that his rules are over the top and, instead, argued they're common sense.
"This has been going round for years and it drives me mad. Unless I’ve been out of the game for too long, you’re not allowed to wear hats when you play on a Saturday, you’re not allowed to wear snoods when you play on a Saturday and you have to, by the rules, wear shin pads. It is not rocket science.
"Everyone makes the mythical story that it’s hard lines from Sean Dyche. It is just common sense. You train how you play, how can you train how you play if you have 14 snoods on, 15 hats and leggings, no shin pads, white socks, it’s not relevant. I told the players, ‘these myths I’m going to bust them for you right now'.
"I explained to them. There is not a single player here where everything is not explained to them. I’d be surprised if any of them are in the dark on anything. I explain everything to them and the reason behind it."
Earlier in the week, Dyche sent Arsenal a warning. The Everton boss claimed that he always puts out a side "ready for the challenge".
In his first press conference, as quoted by our friends at the Liverpool Echo, Dyche said: "Fine side [Arsenal], very good side, obviously people are talking about winning the league that stands for itself.
"You've got to play everyone, the way the fixture falls is just one of those things. They're having a very good time at the moment but they've known long enough, at my previous club that they'll realise but I usually put out a team that are ready. Ready for the challenge, I wouldn't imagine they're underestimating the challenge."
READ NEXT:
Full Arsenal Premier League squad confirmed as Bukayo Saka and William Saliba absence explained
Partey, Trossard, Jesus - Arsenal injury news and expected return dates before key Everton clash
Nicolas Pepe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and seven loanees who could make Arsenal millions
Brighton relationship damage after Moises Caicedo, Flo Balogun future, Jorginho transfer verdict
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
