Saka starts, seven could miss out – Arsenal predicted XI v Everton
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing an injury nightmare as his side prepare to travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday.
The Gunners secured a 2-1 victory against Fulham on Tuesday (1 April) to keep the pressure on Liverpool at the summit of the Premier League.
However, they could have up to seven players ruled out for the trip to Merseyside on 5 April to face David Moyes’ side after Gabriel was forced off in that clash.
The positive for Arteta is that Bukayo Saka should be fit to start after he returned from a long injury layoff against the Cottagers.
Arsenal to make four changes for Everton clash
David Raya is expected to continue in goal for Arteta’s side as there is no real competition for the Spanish stopper.
Jurrien Timber was forced off after 77 minutes against Fulham and is a doubt to be fit for the Goodison contest, Thomas Partey is predicted to be shifted to right-back as Ben White is not expected to be ready to return.
Ricardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also ruled out for Arteta’s side for the trip to Merseyside.
At the heart of defence, William Saliba might be partnered by Jakub Kiwior with Gabriel ruled out for the rest of the season after leaving the pitch with just 16 minutes on the clock against Marco Silva‘s side.
On the left, Myles Lewis-Skelly is expected to retain his place with Oleksandr Zinchenko forced to settle for a place on the bench.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are predicted to keep their starting berth in midfield with Jorginho sitting deeper as a result of Partey being forced into the backline.
Saka ready to start against Everton
Saka is expected to start after a 24-minute cameo against the Cottagers in which he notched the winner. That took him up to 16 goals and assists combined in the Premier League this season.
Arteta will hope to increase Saka’s fitness ahead of the Champions League clash with Real Madrid in midweek, therefore Moyes will be hoping that Vitaliy Mykolenko can step up to the occasion.
| Stats | Saka |
| Matches | 17 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 10 |
Mikel Merino might continue in a makeshift striker role, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus still missing, the Spaniard has notched five goals and an assist in eight matches, so James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite will need to be on top form.
Gabriel Martinelli is predicted to remain on the left flank after an impressive display on Tuesday evening with Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard having to warm the bench.
The Blues must stop the Gunners’ potent attacking options if they are to get a positive result and keep the momentum flowing ahead of an exciting summer.