Arsenal will be looking to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
The Gunners continued their quest for Champions League glory with a hard fought 2-2 draw away to Bayern Munich in midweek. Eberechi Eze opened the scoring for Arsenal before Bayern turned things around through Alphonso Davies and Harry Kane. However, Declan Rice scored a fine goal to make it 2-2 at the Allianz Arena and ensure the points were shared.
Mikel Arteta must now switch focus back to the Premier League as Arsenal head into the weekend action trailing leaders Manchester City by three points. Therefore, they need a win over Everton to keep the pressure on the Cityzens.
The Arsenal boss has rotated his squad and made five changes from the side that started in Germany. Both full-backs make way with Myles Lewis-Skelly replacing Riccardo Calafiori at left-back while Ben White comes in for Jurrien Timber on the opposite side.
Ezri Konsa continues alongside Gabriel Magalhaed in the middle of defence with William Saliba still out with a back injury. David Raya once again starts between the sticks this afternoon.
Declan Rice keeps his place in midfield but Bruno Guimaraes drops out as Mikel Merino is handed a start. Martin Zubimendi remains on the bench for the hosts.
Martin Odegaard captains Arsenal today while Noni Madueke starts on the right wing with Bukayo Saka out. The England international is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a quad injury.
Eberechi Eze is recalled to start on the right wing while Viktor Gyokeres is handed a chance to impress up front. Kai Havertz drops to the bench.
As for Everton, they’re without Jack Grealish and Jarrod Branthwaite. Jordan Pickford keeps goal once again while Tyrique George is recalled in attack.
Here are the confirmed line-ups for the game:
Arsenal
Raya, White, Gabriel, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Merino, Odegaard, Madueke, Eze, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Hincapie, Calafiori, Mosquera, Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Dowman, Havertz
Everton
Pickford; Rohl, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.
Subs: Travers, King, Maitland-Niles, Keane, Dibling, Nørgaard, Alcaraz, Hackney, Braiden Graham
