Eddie Nketiah could return to the lineup instead of Leandro Trossard, while Jorginho could continue in midfield for Arsenal against Everton.
Arsenal are preparing to host Everton at the Emirates on Wednesday, with Mikel Arteta needing another win to keep the pressure on Manchester City. The Gunners had lost their previous home game to the Premier League champions but have since secured consecutive away wins against Aston Villa and Leicester City.
They now face the prospect of facing Sean Dyche’s Everton, against whom they suffered a loss in the reverse fixture. Arteta will consider the upcoming fixture congestion before making his team selection. They return to Europe next week and will play four games in quick succession.
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta spoke about his squad and the options he has to choose from. The January transfer window has played its part in improving depth with quality arrivals. Whether he uses some of the other stars or sticks with his tested starting eleven remains the question.
Arteta said, “We assess that situation every single day. The fact [is] we have options now – we have players coming back from injury giving us alternatives, which is going to be crucial.”
Arsenal vs Everton Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“Players can’t maintain the same level for 10 months – it’s just impossible. We need to change and we have to generate alternatives and be more unpredictable for opponents sometimes as well. We have those options now.”
Meanwhile, he was also questioned about Thomas Partey and whether the midfielder is fit enough to start. The Ghanaian midfielder missed the Manchester City and Aston Villa clashes but came off the bench against Leicester City to boost Arteta’s options.
On Partey, Arteta said, “He hasn’t trained much. He had a session and he will train today. It is what it is. He was out for a few weeks and he needs to get back into the rhythm.”
Jorginho, who has performed admirably in Partey’s absence, will likely keep his place in the starting lineup. For now, one can assume Arteta would bring the Ghanaian midfielder back at the weekend and then use the Italian international in midweek against Sporting.
Against Everton, Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in goal and will have the back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Arteta might even think about rotating the latter for Kieran Tierney. But that could only happen in the Europa League next.
In midfield, Jorginho will keep his place in the holding role, with Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard on either side. Eddie Nketiah could return to lead the line in place of Leandro Trossard. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will continue in the front three.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
