Following yesterday’s defeat to Arsenal, plenty of Everton fans have been fairly downbeat – but former midfielder Don Hutchison has issued some huge praise to one Toffees player.

Everton could not get back on track at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal running out comfortable 2-0 victors. The goals came from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel, with Everton lacking clear-cut opportunities.

Don Hutchison compares Harrison Armstrong to Declan Rice

Without a doubt, one of the most positive aspects of Everton’s season so far has been the development of Harrison Armstrong into a regular first-team starter.

He got to dip his toe into the Premier League last season when he was brought back from his loan spell at Preston North End. But towards the end of the campaign he didn’t feature much as Moyes put faith in more experienced players as the team pushed for Europe.

But Armstrong – who was inexplicably almost sold by The Friedkin Group – has started all eight of Everton’s Premier League games so far, and against Arsenal he did well. It was a tough job for him in midfield given their quality, but he battled hard in tough conditions and did not disgrace himself at all.

It perhaps might have been a good learning curve for him playing against Declan Rice – who, incidentally, is a player Don Hutchison believes Armstrong can become like.

He wrote on X today: “Harrison Armstrong, in my opinion, has everything. He could go to the very top. Calm on the ball ✔️ Covers the ground well ✔️ Nice balance ✔️ Very good passer ✔️

“I’m not saying he is better or (the) same, but watching him yesterday, he could get close to Declan Rice standards.”

So for Armstrong to get that comparison from Hutchison is high praise indeed.

The teenager still obviously has so much to learn. But the signs have been really encouraging so far this season and plenty of Evertonians want to see him keep starting games and continuing his development. He has certainly brought a lot of energy, with Armstrong currently second for distance covered in the Premier League.

With Christian Norgaard back in the picture after recovering from injury there might be a temptation for Moyes to rotate him with the Dane. But hopefully he won’t be spending too much time on the bench.