Everton vs Arsenal in the Premier League
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Viktor Gyokeres has held onto his starting berth as Arsenal face Everton tonight.
The Gunners will find themselves second in the Premier League table by the time they kick off if Manchester City beat West Ham earlier in the day.
The Swede struggled in the win over Wolves last weekend and is yet to score since returning from a hamstring injury.
Arteta could therefore have been tempted to start Mikel Merino up front, with the Spaniard scoring twice and assisting three times in a run of five matches when Gyokeres was out.
"He's certainly an option," the Arsenal boss said of Merino on Friday.
"I think he's given us every reason as well to consider him in a really serious way."
Merino remains on the bench, though, with Gyokeres handed another chance to impress - but he will be on thin ice with Gabriel Jesus on the bench.
Riccardo Calafiori is available again after suspension and comes straight back into the starting lineup at left-back.
Rested: Riccardo Calafiori
Ben White's hamstring injury is not a "major" one but he will miss the next few games, while Gabriel and Kai Havertz are both still unavailable despite "progressing well".
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Martin Odegaard comes into the side to replace Eberechi Eze after starting on the bench against Wolves.
On the left, Leandro Trossard has been bright in recent matches and he earns a start in place of Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Eze, Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus
Injured: Gabriel, Mosquera, White, Dowman, Havertz
Time and date: 8pm GMT, Saturday December 20, 2025
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports