Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton: Auba dropped & Martinelli in?

Arsenal are straight back into Premier League action on Monday as they travel to Goodison Park to take on Rafa Benitez’s Everton. Here is the predicted lineup.

A response is paramount from Mikel Arteta’s side. Leaving Old Trafford without a point to show for it having scored two goals was a devastating result in a match where victory was firmly within their grasp.

Next to nobody could walk away from the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United feeling they performed to the best of their abilities. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Martinelli put in strong individual showings and the latter of those is the subject of plenty of discussion ahead of Monday.

Another ineffective performance from the captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has prompted calls for the 32-year-old to be dropped from the starting lineup with the Brazilian taking his slot in the Arsenal team.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton: Aubameyang to be dropped by Mikel Arteta & Gabriel Martinelli brought in for Premier League clash?

That is one of many key selection calls for the manager to make with fellow senior star Thomas Partey also playing well below the level expected of him. Rotation will come into play, as is expected, but form is also going to tempt Arteta’s hand.

In midfield there could be the return of Sambi Lokonga, while the indomitable Granit Xhaka is well ahead of schedule as he has been pictured in full training after suffering a knee injury way back in the North London Derby.

The Swiss is someone we’re expected to see before the turn of the year although Everton will surely come too soon for him.

A call has to be made on Martin Odegaard too, who statistically stood out at Old Trafford and scored a goal, but was let down by a moment of madness when he foolishly gave away a penalty that proved to be United’s winning goal. How will Arteta go for this one?

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – No change in net is expected at any stage, let alone in the Premier League, meaning Ramsdale will get another chance to continue proving that he’s the best goalkeeper in world football.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – Put in another encouraging display against United as he sniffed out danger at every opportunity and gave Jadon Sancho little joy down that side. Certain starter.

Benjamin White (CB) – A tough evening for White saw him lose his positioning in key defensive situations but show his class on the ball. Some of his distribution was excellent, he just needs to clean up the rest.

Gabriel (CB) – Will have his hands full with his international teammate Richarlison, who is a menace even on his off days. No changes at centre-half expected for Arsenal.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – An alteration that isn’t due to be the result of Nuno Tavares underperforming. Arsenal need some more leadership on the pitch to prevent the negativity they show in positive game states and Tierney could be relied on to help them in that regard.

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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – There is a very serious conversation going on around whether or not Partey warrants a starting berth for Arsenal after his recent performances, with the first half against United particularly wasteful from the Ghanaian.

As a senior player he has to offer more. What may save him from the chop, however, was the improvement he showed in the second half at Old Trafford. If Arteta leaves him out for rotation it wouldn’t be a surprise, though.

Sambi Lokonga (CM) – Elneny did nothing especially wrong last time out and was just…Elneny. However, Sambi was unfortunate not to feature in that game and should be straight back into the team to add another dimension against Everton.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – Arteta, and the rest of the squad for that matter, will have been fuming with Odegaard for the concession of the penalty. It was a moment of idiocy and cost the team dearly.

There were other positive elements to his game though, not least the goal, and a regular run at No. 10 is expected.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – On as a second half substitute, Arteta briefly mentioned rotation in his decision and now fit and firing, there is no way Saka doesn’t come straight back into the team.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – A decision that won’t please many supporters, as much as the case to take the skipper out of the team is strong it feels like a decision the manager will be woe to make.

A vast improvement is demanded from Aubameyang who is missing the chances that are falling to him and offering next to nothing in other departments. It just feels like a call Arteta won’t make yet.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Having played brilliantly over his last 115 minutes of football, and looking especially dangerous against United when he moved out to the left, Smith Rowe could be the man to get some rest next after being seen gasping for air 60 minutes into the game.

For rotational purposes, as well as adding threat in attack, it could be that Martinelli gets the nod on his favoured left side.

Arteta did say Smith Rowe felt some ‘discomfort’. No point risking him with a dangerous option waiting to take up his slot.