Arsenal play host to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday evening, and manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update ahead of the clash.
The Gunners had to rely on a late Kai Havertz penalty to rescue a draw away at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night. They return to the Emirates next week in a strong position in the tie, although Arteta will need his team to play significantly better than they did in Germany if they are to win silverware this season.
An Everton side buoyed by impressive recent results are up next for the North Londoners. David Moyes’ men make the trip to N5 having had eleven days off, while their positive recent form has put them firmly in the race for a European place.
Mikel Arteta issues injury update on Leandro Trossard
Arsenal’s squad is rounding into good health as the run-in approaches. Aside from Mikel Merino, who is likely out for the season, the Gunners have few injury issues to contend with.
That said, Leandro Trossard is currently a concern after being forced off the pitch away at Mansfield last weekend. The Belgian lasted just 38 minutes in Nottinghamshire before being forced off with an unspecified problem.
He then missed the trip to the Rhineland in midweek, sparking fear amongst Arsenal fans, who aren’t confident in Gabriel Martinelli’s ability to deliver in the former Brighton man’s absence. Trossard is a doubt for the game against Everton, and Arteta was coy on this when asked about it in his press conference on Friday afternoon.
“Let’s see,” he said.
Martin Odegaard likely unavailable for Arsenal for Everton clash
Trossard and Merino aren’t the only players on the sidelines for Arsenal at the moment. Martin Odegaard has been absent for several weeks, not starting a game since the Gunners lost at home to Manchester United in mid-January.
The Norwegian is struggling with a knee problem, and this recurring issue is increasingly concerning given the playmaker’s general lack of availability this season. According to some reports, Odegaard may even find himself on the way out in the summer.
| Progressive Passes per 90 leaders in the Premier League 2024/25 (5+ 90s only) | |
| Martin Odegaard | 9.72 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 9.46 |
| Adam Wharton | 8.84 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 8.69 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 8.24 |
| James Maddison | 8.19 |
He likely won’t be fit in time to face Everton, with the Carabao Cup final currently earmarked as a potential return fixture for the 27-year-old.
Elsewhere, Ben White is fit and could be in line to make his return against the Toffees. The right-back has hardly featured for Arsenal over the last couple of months due to injury, but is finally available and ready to contribute for the Gunners in the run-in.
