Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates on Sunday looking to maintain their 24-game unbeaten record at home against the Toffees.
Arsenal have won their last three Premier League games after a tough start to the season, and face Everton at the Emirates. Everton have not had much luck against the Gunners, who are unbeaten at home to the Toffees since January 1996.
Unai Emery will be hopeful of maintaining that record as Arsenal manager, although he needs a full-strength squad at his disposal, which has become a sort of a problem. Out of nowhere, Emery has plenty of questions in his side as fresh injuries to some of his key stars might see them miss the Everton game today.
Aaron Ramsey is a significant doubt after being left out of the Arsenal squad that faced Vorskla Poltava in the midweek UEFA Europa League encounter, and the Welshman is reportedly still not recovered from it.
Ramsey’s possible replacement in the no. 10 role, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also doubtful following an ankle complaint in the aftermath of the Vorskla game. That leaves Mesut Ozil as the only recognised creator in the attack, and he might as well start in that position.
While updating the press with the latest team news before the Everton game, Emery addressed the Mkhitaryan situation. iterating, “Right ankle from Vorskla matches on Thursday. Currently being assessed ahead of Sunday’s match against Everton”.
Lucas Torreira who made his first start for also has an injury problem. Torreira suffered a knock and was unable to last an hour, although Emery suggested it was only a precautionary measure to take the midfielder off. Should he not start or feature at all, the Uruguayan will be replaced by Matteo Guendouzi in central midfield, alongside Granit Xhaka.
Petr Cech is expected to replace Bernd Leno in goal even though the German impressed during his debut against Vorskla. Hector Bellerin could return to the right side of the Arsenal defence and replace Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Nacho Monreal is expected to keep his place as the left-back as there are no other options for Emery in that position. Sokratis will also retain his place at the heart of the Arsenal defence, although Shkodran Mustafi should be reinstated to the starting lineup that faces Everton.
Alex Iwobi’s brilliant performance against Vorskla might have done enough to impress Emery to let him keep his place in the side. Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil, in the potential absence of Ramsey and Mkhitaryan, should start in the no .10 role.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will revert to his position on the left side of the Arsenal attack to accommodate striker Alexandre Lacazette who will return to the side and replace Danny Welbeck in the Arsenal team.
