Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Everton | £42m star returns as Arteta makes 3 changes

Arsenal face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in tonight’s late Premier League kick-off.

Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a fresh setback ahead of the game with Ben White ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.

We anticipate at least three changes to the starting XI from the 2-1 win over Wolves. Arsenal are just two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the standings and must win on Merseyside.

They will be aiming for their first victory over the Toffees in three outings (two draws).

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya is the club’s guaranteed starter in goal. He is currently tied with Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez for the Golden Glove award with eight clean sheets and will be eyeing another shutout against the Toffees.

The defence will see an enforced change with White ruled out. Jurrien Timber, who started at left-back against Wolves, should slot on the right side of the Gunners’ four-man backline.

Riccardo Calafiori is back from suspension and will feature as the left-back ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly. The £42 million signing has started 15 of the club’s 16 league matches this campaign.

William Saliba will once again partner Piero Hincapie in central defence. Gabriel Magalhaes has started working on the grass, but the game will come too soon for the Brazilian.

Martin Zubimendi was absent from an open training session this week, but Arteta confirmed that his training load was being managed. He is assured to continue in the number six position.

Declan Rice should line up as the central midfielder, but there could be a change of personnel in the number 10 role with Martin Odegaard coming in for Eberechi Eze tonight.

Eze was ineffective against a low block versus Wolves. Odegaard managed more passes in his short cameo (24 to 22). He could be key to providing key passes behind the Toffees’ backline.

In the final third, Bukayo Saka is assured his place on the right wing. The Englishman played a major role last time, providing two quality crosses that contributed to Wolves’ own goals.

Viktor Gyokeres had a relatively quiet game last weekend, barring one close opportunity to score. Despite this, the Swede should get the nod upfront ahead of Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Merino.

Jesus has just returned to action after an 11-month injury lay-off and could make another substitute appearance. On the left wing, Leandro Trossard looks primed to make the XI.

Trossard has not started a game since late November when he sustained a calf injury on Champions League duty. He has been superb this campaign with six goals and five assists thus far.

Most of his contributions have come in the league. The Belgian star was a mainstay on the left wing prior to his untimely injury and should be reinstated ahead of Gabriel Martinelli.

How Arsenal could line up vs Everton

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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