Seven changes predicted as Arteta weighs up Gyokeres recall for Everton
Mikel Arteta is expected to shuffle his Arsenal pack heavily when Everton visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with as many as seven changes predicted to the side that drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
That result in Munich ended Arsenal's 14 game unbeaten run in the Champions League league phase, a streak that had spanned three years, but the Gunners climbed into the top eight of the table and remain one of only eight unbeaten teams left in the competition this season. With just two days to recover before facing David Moyes' Everton, rotation looks inevitable, as reported by football.london.
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Everton arrive at the Emirates having suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season last weekend, a 2-0 loss to Chelsea, and with a full week on the training ground behind them compared to Arsenal's quick turnaround. With Manchester City already three points clear at the top, Arteta is unlikely to make wholesale changes purely for the sake of it.
Defensive reshuffle expected
David Raya is expected to continue in goal regardless of opposition or competition. At full back, Myles Lewis-Skelly could come in for Riccardo Calafiori on the left, while Ben White may replace Jurrien Timber on the right. With William Saliba still unavailable, Gabriel Magalhaes is tipped to partner Cristhian Mosquera in central defence, giving Ezri Konsa a rest.
Midfield rotation and a recall up front
Declan Rice could be given a breather, with Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi forming a midfield pairing instead. Martin Odegaard is expected to keep his place as captain, with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze potentially coming into the attack in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and another winger. Max Dowman may also have a role off the bench given the limited attacking options available to Arteta.
Perhaps the most notable selection question surrounds the centre forward position. Viktor Gyokeres impressed in Munich, particularly in his combination play with Rice that led to Arsenal's equaliser, while Kai Havertz was reportedly below his usual level against Bayern. With Everton likely to sit in a low block, a start for Gyokeres has been floated as a way to freshen up the attack and inject some competition for places up top.
The predicted lineup to face Everton reads: Raya; Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel, Mosquera, White; Merino, Zubimendi; Eze, Odegaard, Madueke; Gyokeres.
Arsenal will need to manage minutes carefully in the coming weeks, with a Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Fleetwood Town also on the horizon. How Arteta balances freshness against the demands of a title race could prove decisive as the festive fixture pile up approaches.
