Arsenal will face Everton at the Emirates on the final day of the campaign, with Mikel Arteta set to name an unchanged lineup.
Mikel Arteta will name his final lineup of the season, hoping that Arsenal get the three points in their game against Everton and Manchester City falter against West Ham United. The Premier League title remains in contention for both teams, although City have an advantage with their points tally heading into the final game of the season.
During his pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked about the atmosphere within the Arsenal camp before the final day. The Gunners’ boss explained the feeling going through his mind as well as some of the players’ reactions after Manchester City’s win on Tuesday against Tottenham.
On how he is feeling ahead of the final day of the season, Arteta said, “It’s one of the biggest weeks for many of us, and certainly now is the most important moment. I’m really excited and can’t wait for Sunday to be in front of us, and obviously I’m very optimistic as well with the possible outcome.”
And then, when asked how the players reacted to City’s win on Tuesday, he said, “The hope was there and it didn’t happen and now we have to do our job which is going to be tough because Everton are in a really good moment, so we’re going have to prove again that we can be better than the opponent and win the game. Then we have to wish for the best and for West Ham to have a really good day and help us to fulfil our dream. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
In terms of team news, Arteta will unlikely change anything from the lineup that has won five in a row since losing to Aston Villa. Since the Chelsea game, he has maintained his eleven and not made a single change.
Hence, it is safe to assume Arteta will field an unchanged lineup for the Everton clash, although there is the off chance that Jurien Timber makes the matchday squad. The Dutch defender has been training for over a month now, and Arteta had previously hinted about including him in the group at some point, which might be this weekend.
David Raya, fresh from winning the Premier League Golden Glove, will resume his role between the sticks. He will have the same back four as Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of him.
Thomas Partey will sit at the base of the Arsenal midfield, with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice operating in slightly advanced roles either side of the Ghanaian. Bukayo Saka did limp off against Manchester United, but he will be back on the right wing, while Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz complete the Arsenal attacking set-up.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
