Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Everton have pulled off a superb coup with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti. Understand the questions about "fit" but he was the most successful, available candidate out there with a magnificent track record. Are Everton being criticised for not settling for second best?

And of course there is an element of risk to the appointment - as there would be with any appointment. Ancelotti instantly increases Everton's relevance and profile.

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender on BBC Football Focus

It's an interesting appointment - he's managed all the top teams before.

For me, Ancelotti comes in when the club is at the top and then he takes them to the next level. So this is completely the opposite of that.

I'm a big fan of him but this will be his toughest job yet.

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender on BBC Football Focus

It's a shrewd move keeping Duncan on. Ancelotti is a bright guy so keeping him on is a good move. I'm sure one of Dunc's jobs will be to rev up the players five minutes before kick-off.

It's still a big risk from Everton, though. Yes, Everton will get a bounce, but I'm not sure about this appointment at all.

Joe Wedgwood: What a bizarre, hopeless line up. Arsenal are going to get absolutely smashed today if Everton get an early goal. Arteta has his work cut out big time.

Chris Lord: Saka, Smith-Rowe, Nelson are the youth that Ljungberg has worked with at the club in previous seasons. Showing his belief. Martinelli is a small ray of light of this season.

Rezza Sait: The front three of Martinelli, Smith Rowe and Nelson is really exciting. Even if Arsenal lose, that is the front 3 for the future.

Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle and England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Isn’t it amazing that some people are asking questions about Carlo Ancelotti’s record? I think it’s a great coup for Everton to have him.

He’s obviously been in talks for a while. He’ll be able to attract players they wouldn’t be able to if Ancelotti wasn’t the manager.

It’s a great appointment for them.

Jermaine Jenas
Ex-Tottenham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

When all the money arrived at Manchester City there were a couple of steps in the ladder before they got Pep Guardiola - there was Mark Hughes, Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini.

There was a Robinho and Yaya Toure before they brought the others players who helped them to take the step up.

If Everton are trying to go down that mould and think 'we can go and spend money to create a super team'. Ancelotti is that, he can help them take the next step but everyone can say 'great appointment – with his name and trophies' – but what this club needs right now, is it that? I don’t know – or is it what Duncan Ferguson is already bringing to the table.

Kevin Nolan
Former West Ham captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Everton have tried with Koeman, Martinez, Silva, upcoming managers. This [Carlo Ancelotti] is by far the biggest appointment Everton have made while I’ve been alive. It’s a statement to say we need a world-class manager with a winning mentality to bring our club to that level.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Goodison Park

Everton's new manager Carlo Ancelotti first into the Goodison Park directors' box accompanied by Director of Football Marcel Brands - and he is quickly asked to pose for pictures by fans.

And then it's Mikel Arteta - same drill. Two new managers watching from the stands.

I'm less surprised to find Mikel Arteta on Twitter...

Thomas Hollern: Can't ever remember a game where every player on the pitch is actually auditioning for a new manager. Should be a lot of effort shown from both sides today.

Ar Vind: As a Liverpool fan, I say through gritted teeth that Everton have at last got an A list manager now. If he’s supported well in the transfer window, they will be back up in top six very soon.

Manchester City's record goalscorer Sergio Aguero is in contention to return on Saturday after almost a month out with a thigh injury.

Centre-back John Stones could feature after a hamstring problem but David Silva hasn't yet recovered from a bruised leg.

Leicester have no fresh injuries ahead of their festive schedule.

Long-term absentee Matty James remains sidelined with an Achilles problem but is training with the squad again.

Norwich central defender Ben Godfrey has torn a knee ligament and been ruled out until February.

Grant Hanley could return after injuries that have kept him out since August, and Teemu Pukki will play despite injuring his toe last weekend.

Wolves have no reported fresh injuries, with Morgan Gibbs-White doubtful with an ongoing back injury.

Winger Adama Traore is expected to be available after suffering a dislocated shoulder last weekend.

Newcastle pair Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Almiron could be fit to return after missing last week's defeat at Burnley.

Allan Saint-Maximin, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie and Ki Sung-Yeung are all still absent.

Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt has returned to training ahead of schedule and is being assessed.

Scott Dann and Jairo Riedewald are both doubts, while fellow defenders Jeffrey Schlupp, Gary Cahill and Joel Ward are injured and Mamadou Sakho is banned.

Ex-Newcastle loanee Andros Townsend is also absent for the Eagles.

Brighton forward Aaron Connolly is fit to return and Dale Stephens is available after serving a suspension.

The Seagulls' only absentees are Solly March and Jose Izquierdo because of respective groin and knee injuries.

Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck is serving a one-match ban for accumulating five bookings. Luke Freeman or Mo Besic may deputise.

Manager Chris Wilder reports no fresh injures and is boosted by Callum Robinson's return after illness.

Bournemouth will make a late decision on Joshua King, who hurt his ankle against Chelsea, while Junior Stanislas may miss out through personal reasons.

Andrew Surman is doubtful with a calf injury, so the Cherries might be without up to 12 senior players.

Burnley will assess Chris Wood and Ashley Westwood, who are nursing respective Achilles and groin problems.

Ben Gibson is also doubtful, but Charlie Taylor and Kevin Long could come back into contention.

Aston Villa have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's game with fellow strugglers Southampton.

Tyrone Mings and Keinan Davis remain out, but both could return before the end of the year.

Southampton are without winger Moussa Djenepo, who has a hamstring injury, and Sofiane Boufal continues to recover from a stubbed big toe.

Yan Valery has again been ruled out because of a viral infection, while Kevin Danso has also been ill.

You may have noticed that there are some other Premier League games happening today. Here is the early team news for those...

Marcel Brands, Everton’s Director of Football, on the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti: “Following a rigorous process conducted by all of our Directors, it is a pleasure to now welcome Carlo Ancelotti to Everton. He is one of the finest managers in world football and a proven winner, having achieved a remarkable level of success in each of Europe’s major leagues.

“He is the perfect appointment for us. He embraces our vision for the Club and we are sure that his enthusiasm to take the helm at Goodison together with his tactical abilities and well-renowned man-management will make him successful in this role. This was a clear and exciting decision for the Board to make. It was a unanimous choice and one we were all fully united behind throughout. Carlo has proven time and again, he knows how to build a trophy-winning side and we share the excitement of our fans at the prospect of him leading our team in the years ahead. We’re all greatly looking forward to working with him.”

Image source, Getty Images

Clever timing of this announcement by Everton. What may have been all about Mikel Arteta at Goodison is now not about Mikel Arteta at Goodison.

If you're a Blues fan heading to this game, you're going to be buzzing as well.