football.london reporters pick their Arsenal starting XIs for this weekend's Premier League home fixture against Everton
15:00, 13 Mar 2026
Kai Havertz
View 2 Images
Kai Havertz is pushing to start for Arsenal alongside Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal can move 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League tomorrow if they take care of business and beat Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
But that cushion still might only last a few hours as Manchester City also travel to West Ham on Saturday evening.
Nonetheless, it's a chance for the Gunners to raise the temperature in the race against City, though they will need to respond professionally following a sub-par performance against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany on Wednesday.
Arsenal beat the Toffees 1-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium back in December when Viktor Gyokeres blasted home the winner from the penalty spot.
Here's how football.london reporters Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor would line up for the contest.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Tom Canton - Chief Arsenal Reporter
I want to see some changes, and I think that Bukayo Saka should sit this one out and be ready for the return leg against Bayer Leverkusen. Noni Madueke should be rewarded for his impact, which ended up helping the Gunners score.
Kai Havertz moves into the number ten role for me in the hope it can bring more out of Viktor Gyokeres. There is some real potential in there, but with Martin Odegaard still out, change is needed in the midfield.
The last main change other than Eze being pushed to the left is to bring Riccardo Calafiori back in on the left, resting Hincapie for midweek. The Italian is also another capable of providing some additional progression and that has been lacking of late.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Everton: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Eze, Gyokeres.
Eberechi Eze
View 2 Images
Eberechi Eze's form has dipped of late for Arsenal(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Ryan Taylor
I don't like the notion that anybody could already be thinking about next week's second leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
Everton are in decent form and can hurt anyone in the division on their day, so Arsenal must approach this game with maximum respect.
I think the back-four (five including David Raya) should remain the same but I'd bring Kai Havertz in at No.10 ahead of Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.
I'd then mix up the attack, bringing Bukayo Saka out to the left as his form has been patchy of late.
Noni Madueke's impact from the bench against Bayer Leverkusen was enough, in my view, to earn him a rare start.
Gabriel Martinelli has not done enough to warrant keeping his place in the side for a fourth successive game.
Viktor Gyokeres starts in attack too but his place is under threat as Havertz is knocking on the door for a potential start as the No.9 - for now, he's operating in attacking midfield in my team.
Article continues below
Taylor's Arsenal XI vs Everton: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Madueke, Saka, Gyokeres.
Welcome to 'Seeing Red' - our new Arsenal podcast
We've launched a new Arsenal podcast 'Seeing Red' with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.
Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta's side every step of the way - and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.
It's a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.
The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League - and they're also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
We'll provide insight and reaction - and have fun along the way - as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.
No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We'll have it all covered.
Click here to view our YouTube channel
Click here to download our podcasts