Arsenal are back in Premier League action this Saturday when they take on Everton in the lunchtime kick-off at Goodison Park. The Gunners go into the game in good form, but will be wary of the new manager bounce after Sean Dyche took over the Toffees this week.
"We have the experience in the last few years how tough it’s been and we haven’t got the results that we wanted," manager Mikel Arteta said of his side's impending clash in his pre-match press conference. "When it’s a new manager the environment will change. A lot of things changed during the week so it’s going to be a really tough test."
Regardless of how difficult it may be the game represents a huge opportunity for Arsenal who can open up an eight point lead at the top of the league table ahead of Manchester City's trip to Tottenham on Sunday. It's crucial that Arteta gets his team selection right, but luckily football.london's Arsenal writers are on hand to help out.
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Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal correspondent
Despite Matt Turner's man of the match display against Manchester City I still think I'd look to bring Aaron Ramsdale back into the side against Everton. Rob Holding did little to suggest he's ready to start crucial games in front of him at the Etihad Stadium so it's William Saliba back in for me alongside Gabriel. Jakub Kiwior will have to wait a little longer for his debut.
Full backs Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu were both decent against City, but it's clear who the first choice guys are. Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko's ability on the ball could be crucial to break down what is likely to be a stubborn Everton defence.
In midfield I'm of the opinion that Thomas Partey should not be risked. It's just a rib injury for the Ghanaian so it's not significant, but the luxury of having Jorginho in the squad means that Arsenal now have an experienced, quality alternative who can come in and take some of the load of Partey. The former Atletico Madrid man can be kept on the bench in case Jorginho's debut goes catastrophically, but it's hard to see that happening. Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard meanwhile are obvious picks.
Leandro Trossard was pretty impressive in Manchester, but the Belgian faded just enough in the second half to suggest that he's not quite ready to take Gabriel Martinelli's starting spot just yet. Martinelli signed his new contract this week, and I'd reward him with a place in the XI alongside Eddie Nketiah. Bukayo Saka meanwhile has to play as well, even if Reiss Nelson could be back to return to the bench after his hamstring injury.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Manchester City - Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Tom Canton - Arsenal writer
After the chaos of trying to decide who should face Manchester City in the FA Cup the return of Premier League action brings with it the calm assurance of the team. There have been some questions surrounding the fitness of Thomas Partey, but Mikel Arteta confirmed he is indeed in contention and so makes my team.
The excitement really comes in the form of the Gunners’ bench. Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho should all be in the squad for Saturday and the latter pair could make their debuts for the side. Should the Ghanaian not be available then Arsenal’s latest signing from Chelsea could be in with a start.
Focus will be on Eddie Nketiah once again to see if he can continue his Premier League goalscoring run. In last season’s defeat at Goodison Park Nketiah missed a close-range header that could have claimed all three points for Arsenal on the day and has some narrative to motivate him further on Saturday.
In defence Oleksandr Zinchenko’s brilliant influence on the side will be in full view, whereas Ben White will hope to return to improved form after some struggles against United. Whereas Gabriel Magalhaes knows he has the new signing Kiwior to push him to stay in top form.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Everton: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah
Who gets into your starting XI? Select below!
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