After a hard-fought victory over Leicester City in the mid-week, Everton have a tough task this weekend, as they travel to the Emirates on Saturday, in one of the most exciting games of the lot. The Toffees are 11 points adrift the Gunners, who are in the 6th place in the points table. However, Arsenal are smarting from a loss to Swansea City and will be low on confidence.
The Toffees did decent business in the transfer window but they will have to find consistency and taking points from games like these is what will define their season. Sam Allardyce will surely go for a win and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
The Toffees are still without the likes of Roberto Funes-Mori, Leighton Baines, James McCarthy and Maarten Stekelenburg, who are all long-term absentees. They remain the only injury worries for Allardyce, ahead of this game.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
Jordan Pickford has been consistent in goal for the Blues and is expected to keep his place under the bar this weekend. The manager has constantly changed his backline but the experienced Ashley Williams has been a consistent presence. He should start this game alongside Michael Keane, who is still finding his feet at his new club.
Seamus Coleman finally made his return to the first team against the Foxes on Wednesday. However, he might not be risked for two games in four days, which should see Jonjoe Kenny start at right-back in this game. Cuco Martina is the only option at left-back and is an automatic choice.
Up against the likes of Aubameyang, Ozil and Mkhitaryan, they are sure to have their work cut out if they are to take anything from this game.
Midfield:
Idrissa Gueye is easily one of the most important players for Everton. He is one of the first names on the team sheet and should be partnered by Morgan Schneiderlin, who will add some stability to the midfield.
Attack:
Everton’s January signing Theo Walcott has already bagged a couple of goals. He is expected to keep his place on the right wing, facing a club that he had played for more than a decade, till just a couple of days ago. Cenk Tosun will lead the line and will hope to get his name on the scoresheet.
Wayne Rooney will be looking to make a telling impact on this game, starting in the no.10 role while Gylfi Sigurdsson, who seems to have found his groove, should start on the left wing.
Here is how they might line up:
