Everton have made the decision to part ways with Frank Lampard before they play Arsenal in their next game.

Earlier on Monday, Sky Sports News reported that they’re hearing a decision has been taken on Frank Lampard, and not long after it was announced that the Everton boss was sacked.

The move isn’t all that surprising with Everton sitting in the relegation zone and only above Southampton on goal difference.

Lampard’s side have been terrible since the return of club football after the World Cup, losing five games and drawing one – though admittedly that one draw was away to Manchester City.

The timing of Lampard’s departure is relevant to Arsenal fans because Everton’s next game is at home to the Gunners.

Whichever manager comes in for Lampard will be looking to get off to a strong start with his new side, and the players will likely be reinvigorated by the change of coach.

Arsenal are also still waiting for their home game against Everton to be rescheduled, making them the only team in the Premier League yet to play against Lampard’s side.

The match was initially postponed in September, but after four-and-a-half months, the Premier League continue to fail to pencil it back in.

There have been plenty of opportunities for that game to take place, including last midweek, when Manchester United and Manchester City both played their own postponed league fixtures.

United have also had their second postponed fixture against Leeds United scheduled for early February.

But the league have delayed and delayed and delayed with Arsenal, to the frustration of fans hoping to attend.

A running joke among supporters was that the league were waiting for Everton to sack Lampard before rescheduling the fixture.

That’s looking less and less like a joke right now.