Everton return to action today in the Premier League as they face one of their toughest tests of the season by welcoming Arsenal to Goodison Park.

The two teams could not be in more polarising form, as the Gunners have lost just once in the league whilst the Toffees have only won three league games all season.

What has managed to make this a slightly more intriguing clash is that Sean Dyche will make his return to English football at the helm of the Merseyside outfit, where he has taken over from Frank Lampard.

The day is set to be shrouded in ongoing fan protests with regard to the board, who have only added fuel to the fire as Everton were the only club in the top flight not to make a signing in the January transfer window.

It represents the monumental task that the former Burnley manager faces, with theoretically the most difficult opponents imaginable in his first game in charge.

Despite this, he is unlikely to be fazed as he leads his men into battle. Photos and videos which have surfaced from his first few training sessions offer a glimpse into what he seeks to rectify and add to this team - some hard work and relentless running.

One man who arguably personifies this more than most is Dwight McNeil, who was brought up on Dyche's rugged philosophy as he broke into the Burnley first team under his stewardship.

The 23-year-old joined Everton in a £20m summer move but has since struggled to establish himself in a team which was never really sure what it wanted to be. Under Dyche, there is surely no way that will be the case now.

The new boss must unleash his former Turf Moor favourite onto that right flank, using his wicked deliveries and tireless work rate to subdue the rampant Gunners and implement his ideals into the squad.

With just three goal contributions in 18 league games this season, McNeil has never really been one for posting outstanding numbers. His best top-flight campaign only saw him score three goals and set up five, which came during his first full season at that level in 2018/19.

However, it is the constant threat that he offers from set pieces and crosses which makes him a huge asset, plus the fact that he ranks in the top 1% for dribbles completed and the top 25% for blocks when compared to other wingers across Europe's five main leagues over the past year.

Last season saw him average 1.3 key passes and 1.1 successful crosses per game, which suggests that he can once again prove to be the "striker's dream" that Dyche had previously labelled him.

Perhaps the reunion with his former boss could help McNeil to reinvigorate his game to the levels which led The Athletic's Andy Jones to dub him a "special player", starting with a fine defensive display today paired with some much-needed proficiency in the final third.

Everton's new manager ought to unleash the winger from the off today in what would be his first top-flight start in just over a month.