Arsenal face Everton today at the Emirates Stadium with Mikel Arteta looking to build on his side’s impressive run of form. The Gunners have won twice in a week ahead of the clash with the Toffees, and could welcome back Mesut Ozil and Lucas Torreira for the fixture.
Ozil is expected to start for Arteta’s side this afternoon.
The German playmaker missed last Thursday’s Europa League game against Olympiacos, which Arsenal won 1-0 in Greece.
Ozil’s wife was due to give birth over the weekend, and for that reason he opted to stay in London instead of travel with the squad to Greece.
However, he is in contention to return to the team today, having scored in last Sunday’s 4-0 rout of Newcastle.
JUST IN: Man Utd chief Ed Woodward settles on Paul Pogba compromise transfer fee
Likewise, Torreira is also in line for a return having missed the Olympiacos trip due to illness.
Like Ozil, he is in line to return today as Arsenal look to close the gap on the Champions League places.
The Uruguayan midfielder only played eight minutes against Newcastle last Sunday, though he is expected to feature today.
Elsewhere, Hector Bellerin could be in line for a surprise appearance having missed out on Thursday.
DON’T MISS
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £250m splash, Werner to Chelsea, Saka to Liverpool [BLOG]
Fury fight time tonight: What time is Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury today? [BOXING]
Erling Haaland transfer clause emerges amid Man Utd rumours [GOSSIP]
READ MORE
-
Tottenham hero heaps praise on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
The right-back played the full game against Newcastle, but was then ruled out of the Olympiacos game through a knock.
He is set to be reexamined ahead of the game and could appear today.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also set to be assessed before the game, while Cedric Soares is still a few weeks away from being fully fit.
Kieran Tierney too is aiming to be back in training by the end of the week, while Callum Chambers will not return this season.
READ MORE
-
Man Utd £250m splash, Werner to Chelsea, Arsenal transfer plan
Alexandre Lacazette will likely keep his place in the lone striker position, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing as a left-winger.
Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta admitted it will be strange leading his team out against the Toffees.
The Spaniard spent six years at Goodison Park as a player before moving to Arsenal, and he revealed that he still has a good relationship with his old club.
“It’s going to be strange,” Arteta said.
“I played there for seven years and I have some great memories and great friends and people that I love a lot.
“It was weird because when I was appointed manager I had to go to Goodison and Carlo as well was appointed on that day, if I’m not wrong.
“But yes, it’s always special for me to play against Everton and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Everton [4-2-3-1]: Leno, Saka, Luiz, Mustafi, Bellerin; Torreira, Xhaka; Ozil, Pepe, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
Source: Read Full Article
EXCLUSIVE: Premier League and EFL agree to sell TV rights together
Man Utd have new ‘Rooney predicament’ as ex-teammate offers Ten Hag axe advice
Napoli break silence on their Victor Osimhen TikTok after he threatened to sue
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gets immediate £164m answer as FSG agree sale
Jurgen Klopp sold Curtis Jones ‘the right-back idea with the captaincy’