James Garner facing Everton axe after new data sheds light on his display vs Arsenal

Garner has struggled in Everton's last two matches with poor passing and dispossession stats, prompting calls for him to be benched in favour of summer signing Hackney.

James Garner is facing a spell on the bench after a dip in form for Everton. The 25-year-old midfielder, who won Everton's Player of the Season award last campaign and earned his first England call-up, has struggled in recent weeks following groin surgery over the summer that left him without pre-season preparation.

In Everton's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, Garner misplaced eight passes, was dispossessed 10 times, won only 29% of his ground duels (2 from 7), committed three fouls and received a booking. He also failed to produce a successful dribble. His form has been similarly poor in the previous week's loss to Chelsea, where he won just one ground duel while being dispossessed 11 times.

Manager David Moyes is being urged to drop Garner and give summer signing Hackney—a 24-year-old who won the Championship Player of the Season at Middlesbrough—a chance to impress. The Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle next Thursday is seen as an ideal opportunity for Hackney to stake a claim for a regular starting spot.