Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title continues on Saturday evening, as Mikel Arteta’s side host Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners escaped from Bayer Leverkusen with a draw in midweek, with Kai Havertz’s late penalty meaning they don’t go into the second leg on home soil next week at a disadvantage. After this clash in Germany and their trip to Mansfield, Arteta’s men return to league action this weekend, looking to cement their position at the summit of the English top flight.
A win will see the North Londoners move ten points clear of Manchester City, who take on relegation-threatened West Ham United in a tough encounter immediately after the affair in N5. The pressure will be on Pep Guardiola’s side if Arsenal are able to bring the points gap into double digits.
Arteta will no doubt be confident in his team’s ability to secure another win when they entertain an Everton side fighting for a place in Europe. The last time the Toffees beat Arsenal was over three years ago, when a James Tarkowski header dented the Gunners’ title hopes in Sean Dyche’s first match in charge in the Goodison Park dugout.
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 20/12/2025 | Everton 0-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 05/04/2025 | Everton 1-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 14/12/2024 | Arsenal 0-0 Everton | Premier League |
| 19/05/2024 | Arsenal 2-1 Everton | Premier League |
| 17/09/2023 | Everton 0-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 01/03/2023 | Arsenal 4-0 Everton | Premier League |
Arsenal team news vs Everton, Leandro Trossard injury update
Although Arsenal have had to contend with a number of minor niggles in recent weeks, their squad heads into the encounter with Everton in a relatively healthy place.
Leandro Trossard was forced off the pitch at Mansfield after just 38 minutes. The issue has not yet been diagnosed, although the Belgian wasn’t available for the trip to the continent on Wednesday. It’s currently understood that he’ll face a late fitness test to determine his availability for Saturday’s game.
Ben White and Kai Havertz were both involved in Germany, and both seem to be firmly back in the fold for the Gunners. Havertz may even start after making a positive impact off the bench in midweek, while Arteta may be tempted to use White and rest a fatigued Jurrien Timber.
Meanwhile, aside from long-term absentee Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard is the only other injury concern for Arteta. The Norwegian hasn’t featured in any match since the North London Derby, as he continues to recover from a knee problem.
Arteta is expected to be without his captain for another game, with the Carabao Cup final earmarked as a possible return date for the playmaker.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Everton
Arsenal were poor in Leverkusen, and whilst fatigue likely played a part, they lacked the volume of possession players in the starting eleven to control the match. This may prompt Arteta to make some changes against the Toffees and instead include high-touch players capable of getting on the ball frequently.
David Raya will retain his place in goal, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes guaranteed to start in front of him. While Arteta could call upon White and rest Timber ahead of a crucial week in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, it’s still likely that he’ll revert to type and select the Dutchman from the start.
At left-back, there is an opportunity to make a change. Riccardo Calafiori’s ability to add value to the attack should be utilised in a game Arsenal will likely dominate possession in, and thus, the Italian ought to replace Piero Hincapie.
| Position in xG table | Team | Pld | NPxGF | NPxGA | NPxGD/90 |
| 1 | Arsenal | 30 | 47.6 | 20.9 | 0.89 |
Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will partner one another in midfield once again, while Eberechi Eze is essentially a nailed-on starter in Odegaard’s absence. Off the left, Gabriel Martinelli will likely start again if Leandro Trossard isn’t fit.
In the other two positions in the forward line, there is scope for change. Charlie Austin has called for Noni Madueke to start over Bukayo Saka, and this change is likely after the former’s poor performance against Leverkusen.
Up front, Havertz may be favoured over Gyokeres, who hasn’t scored in each of his last three appearances.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Everton: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli.
Arsenal vs Everton Prediction
Everton have won their last two fixtures, impressively beating Newcastle United at St. James’ Park before dispatching Burnley at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last time out. They’ll head to the Emirates having had eleven days off, while they’ll also feel as though they’re firmly in the race for Europe now, with Brentford just a point ahead of them in seventh.
| Position in xG table | Team | Pld | NPxGF | NPxGA | NPxGD/90 |
| 15 | Everton | 29 | 33.1 | 38.8 | -0.19 |
This additional rest, as well as European aspirations, will certainly make this game more difficult for Arsenal. That said, David Moyes’ team’s league position is something of a red herring, with their underlying number indicating that they should be much further down the table.
Thus, the Gunners should be capable of nullifying the Merseysiders and should ultimately stroll to three points in Islington.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
