Gabriel Magalhaes is set to return to the Arsenal squad for the home clash with Everton, while Myles Lewis-Skelly could continue at left-back.
Arsenal are set to host Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League following more dropped points last weekend against Fulham. Mikel Arteta is likely to have a favourable name return to the starting lineup, while he could make minor alterations for this clash from the team that started in midweek against AS Monaco.
Arteta’s pre-match press conference had a lot of questions as well as updates regarding the status of some of the key injuries suffered in recent times. The Spaniard did provide at least one positive news in that regard, although Riccardo Calafiori is likely to stay out, the manager did insist the Italian was close to making a return.
Speaking about Gabriel Magalhaes and Calafiori Arteta said, “There is a possibility one of them to be available. He (Gabriel) trained today and we will see tomorrow. We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set (on Calafiori) and then we’ll just monitor his evolution every single day. We understand that he’s not fully ready yet but he’s getting very close now.”
Meanwhile, the midweek win saw a lot of praise reserved for teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had an accomplished performance against AS Monaco from left-back. Considering the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Calafiori, he is in line to make another start, as Arteta was asked about him.
Arteta said, “He certainly deserves to be in contention to be selected because he performed and competed really well. At his age, to show maturity on the pitch is strange and off the field is exactly the same. He is a person who continuously surprises all the staff with the kind of questions that keep all of us asking. A lot of times that shows you the intelligence of the person and Myles is a really bright boy.”
As for the team selection, Arteta is likely to make a few alternations and tactical changes compared more to the Fulham game rather than the midweek encounter. Jurrien Timber could return to the lineup at right-back, which could push Thomas Partey back into his midfield role.
William Saliba will have his usual partner in defence, with Gabriel back in action, while Lewis-Skelly will be the likely starter at left-back. Martin Odegaard will have Partey and Declan Rice in the midfield setup, which could result in Mikel Merino returning to the bench.
Bukayo Saka will start on the right-hand side of the attack, with Kai Havertz likely to replace Gabriel Jesus in the centre-forward role. Meanwhile, Arteta will continue the rotations on the left wing, as Leandro Trossard might be preferred to Gabriel Martinelli there.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard