Arsenal are aiming to cut the gap to table toppers Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime when they visit Everton in the Premier League.
The Gunners were able to chip away at Liverpool’s cushion by beating Fulham on Tuesday evening but the Reds’ Merseyside derby victory the following night restored their advantage to 12 points. With just eight games remaining, time is running out for Mikel Arteta’s men.
Arsenal still have ambitions of being crowned European champions this season even if they appear extremely unlikely to secure domestic glory, with their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid coming on Tuesday evening. Arteta may have one eye on that gargantuan clash when it comes to his team selection at Goodison Park.
Everton had been on a run of four successive draws before David Moyes was handed only his third defeat since his return as Toffees boss. The Scotsman’s Anfield hoodoo continued and his managerial record against Arsenal is similarly uninspiring, with just six wins from 44 past meetings with the north London behemoths.
Everton team news
Everton saw Iliman Ndiaye return at Anfield – his first appearance since injuring himself against Liverpool in February – but the Toffees are still without Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the final third. Dwight McNeil is close to full fitness but could still miss out this weekend, while Jesper Lindstrom was absent midweek and is a doubt to feature.
Orel Mangala is sidelined for the remainder of the season but Everton didn’t suffer any fresh injury concerns during Wednesday’s Merseyside derby. Moyes is likely to name a similar team against Arsenal, although Ndiaye could come back into the XI.
Everton predicted lineup vs Arsenal
Everton predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Harrison, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal were overjoyed to see Bukayo Saka finally return to the pitch on Tuesday after a lengthy spell on the sidelines but two new faces entered the treatment room against Fulham. Gabriel suffered a hamstring injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of the season and Jurrien Timber was also withdrawn due to a knee issue that still needs assessing.
Ben White missed the visit of the Cottagers with a knee injury of his own and with Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu both out of action at present, Arsenal find themselves short at the back.
The Gunners are still without Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in their forward line as well, but at least they have their full compliment of wide forwards available.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard.
Everton vs Arsenal score prediction
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Arsenal
