Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Merseyside to lock horns with Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
After a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Arsenal have suffered back-to-back away defeats. Mikel Arteta’s side were comprehensively outplayed by Liverpool at Anfield before having their six-game undefeated run against Manchester United snapped at Old Trafford on Thursday. The 3-2 loss to United also prevented the Gunners from leapfrogging West Ham into fourth spot.
Arteta’s side will be desperate to bounce back but they will have to be wary of the challenge Everton can pose. The Toffees currently find themselves in 16th spot, but they will take heart from the fact that they did the double over Arsenal last season.
Arsenal Team News
Bukayo Saka was only fit enough for a spot on the bench against Manchester United, but he should be in contention to start against Everton.
Kieran Tierney has also returned to full fitness and will be eyeing a return to the Arsenal starting lineup. Emile Smith Rowe was substituted as a precaution against United and he will face a late fitness test. Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac remain sidelined due to injuries.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Everton (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale has firmly established himself as Arsenal’s No. 1 goalkeeper since his arrival from Sheffield United and despite conceding seven goals in his last three matches, he will retain his spot ahead of Bernd Leno.
Defenders
Nuno Tavares has impressed at left-back during Kieran Tierney’s absence, but the Scotsman is likely to return to the side for this game. Tierney has missed Arsenal’s last seven games in all competitions and will be keen to make up for lost time.
Arteta is unlikely to tinker with the rest of the backline. That means Ben White and Gabriel will continue at center-back, while the effervescent Takehiro Tomiyasu will retain his place on the right side of the defense.
Midfielders
Mohamed Elneny was a rather strange inclusion in central midfield against Manchester United and the Egyptian could drop down to the bench with Albert Sambi Lokonga taking his place.
Thomas Partey had a nightmare at Old Trafford, but given Arsenal’s lack of options in midfield, the Ghanaian is expected to keep his spot in the team.
Emile Smith Rowe scored one of the most bizarre goals of his career last time around against United and he will be one of the first names on the teamsheet. The Englishman is in a rich vein of form, having netted five times in his last nine games for club and country. He will start on the left flank, while Bukayo Saka is expected to return to the side
to take up his usual spot on the right.
Martin Odegaard blew hot and cold against Manchester United. He scored Arsenal’s equaliser in the second half, but also conceded the penalty which Cristiano Ronaldo converted to make it 3-2. The Norwegian should, however, retain his place in the team ahead of Alexandre Lacazette.
Attackers
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been in dismal form for Arsenal of late, but will Arteta be bold enough to drop his captain? If Aubameyang is benched, Gabriel Martinelli could lead the line for the Gunners after impressive displays against Newcastle United and Manchester United.