Arsenal are currently leading the Premier League but have a tough challenge at the Hill Dickinson stadium vs Everton. The Toffees stand a chance of spoiling the Gunners title hopes should they exploit the home advantage. Mikel Arteta’s team is determined to defend the five points they have in their hands. Moreover, David Moyes led Everton are out to claim a shock victory in this seasonal game.
Arsenal News
Arsenal got a 2-1 win over Wolves with a defensive injury crisis that has exposed weakness. Declan Rice is set to return after illness, boosting midfield. While Jurrien Timber and Ben White provide options at the back. Arteta may rotate to manage fatigue ahead of Champions League duties, with young Myles Lewis-Skelly earning starts at left-back.
🚨👀“Merino, I actually think is first choice. I know Gyokeres played at the weekend, I think that was down to the fact he’d just come back from injury, he needed a game “Merino has been fantastic getting goals in that position.” #afc
Carragher when asked who Arsenal’s number #1… pic.twitter.com/r632cfujDJ
— AFCtrey (@afct_rey) December 18, 2025
Injuries & Return Dates
Both squads of the Premier League are depleted. For Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhães (hamstring) returns December 27. Ben White (knee) remains sidelined into January. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are out until mid-January. While Kai Havertz (unspecified) is a longer-term absentee.
Everton miss Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring, mid-January 2026). Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (hamstring, early January), Seamus Coleman (hamstring, late December), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring, early January).
ARSENAL: (90%)
🆕 Gyokeres, Madueke, Lewis-Skelly
⚠️ Gabriel, Rice, Saliba, Timber, Trossard, Calafiori, Havertz, Mosquera
I’ve gone with a Timber start, but this could quite easily be Norgaard
Gyokeres up top could be a risky one, and Zubimendi is the one in midfield most in… pic.twitter.com/lzUB3MMpOc
— FPL Meerkat (@FPLMeerkat) December 12, 2025
Suspensions
No players face suspension for this Everton vs Arsenal clash. Everton’s James Garner teeters on a yellow-card booking, but neither side reports bans, allowing full squad selection where fitness permits.
Players to Watch
Bukayo Saka remains Arsenal’s talisman. His quick pace and directness have earned him eight goals this season. Playing against Everton’s high line, he could gather spaces ruthlessly on the right flank.
Martin Ødegaard‘s vision organise the Gunners’ attack. His set-piece prowess is the key in tight games. Arsenal expect him to unlock Everton’s defense with precise through-balls to wingers.
Doubtful
Nathan Patterson (foot, Everton)
Dwight McNeil (knee, Everton—expected back soon)
Injured
Everton: Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (hamstring), Seamus Coleman (hamstring), Jack Grealish (unspecified), Jesper Lindstrøm (groin)
Arsenal: Gabriel Magalhães (hamstring), Ben White (knee), Riccardo Calafiori (unspecified), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Kai Havertz (unspecified), Cristhian Mosquera (ankle)
Predicted Lineups
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Alcaraz.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Ødegaard, Merino; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
As featured on GoonerNews.com