Arsenal are set to host Everton at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this weekend. This will be Arsenal’s first game after were involved in the ESL saga.
The Gunners have a big week in front of them. After welcoming Everton, they will face Villarreal next week in the Europa League semi-finals.
Everton had a good start to the season and seemed to be a strong candidate for European places. However, their recent form has seen them slip to eighth place.
The Toffees have lost twice in their last five games and drawn the other three. But Carlo Ancelotti will hope his team will make one final push in this business end of the season.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta will be without his striker Alexandre Lacazette who suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham last week.
Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard was on the sidelines due to an ankle injury, but the youngster might return to the squad. He will be assessed before the game.
Arsenal skipper, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, contracted malaria while away on international duty, and is not expected to return. David Luiz and Kieran Tierney remain side-lined.
Defence
Mathew Ryan was handed a rare start against Fulham last week. Even though he didn’t put a foot wrong, being the club’s first-choice keeper, Bernd Leno should return to the Arsenal lineup.
Rob Holding should keep his place at the heart of the defence, and Pablo Mari might line up alongside the Englishman at the back.
Due to Tierney’s injury, Granit Xhaka has been starting at left-back. Arteta is expected to stick with the Swiss international for this pivotal clash as well. Callum Chambers has done well at right-back, but with fit Hector Bellerin in the squad, Arteta might go with the latter.
Midfield
With Xhaka deployed in the defence, Thomas Partey could be partnered by Dani Ceballos at central midfield.
Martin Odegaard should be Arteta’s first preference for the number 10 position. If he is not fit enough to start, we might see Emile Smith Rowe occupying that role.
Attack
With doubts over Lacazette and Aubameyang’s involvement, Gabriel Martinelli could start as the striker. 19-year old Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal’s best player this season. He should be deployed on the right flank, with Nicolas Pepe occupying the opposite wing in the Arsenal lineup.
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