Predicted Arsenal XI vs Everton: Is Thomas Partey fit to start?

Sean Dyche’s Toffees await the Premier League leaders at Saturday lunchtime as Arsenal attempt to avoid succumbing to the new manager bounce phenomenon.

Dyche’s arrival renders the Gunners’ upcoming encounter a tricky one, but they’ve still got a huge opportunity to extend their lead at the top to eight points before Manchester City take on Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Mikel Arteta has been hit with a couple of injury setbacks ahead of the weekend’s encounter with Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe set to be absent. However, the Spaniard could name an unchanged XI from the 3-2 victory against Manchester United two weeks ago.

Arsenal’s Predicted XI vs Everton

Here’s the starting XI Arteta’s likely to pick for Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Matt Turner impressed yet again last Friday, but Ramsdale’s status as the club’s number one is not in doubt.

Ben White (RB) – It’s been a while since we enjoyed the very best of Benny Blanco. Arsenal’s most consistent performer will return to the starting XI at Goodison Park after Takehiro Tomiyasu was given a chance in the cup.

William Saliba (CB) – Sign da ting, Wilo!

Gabriel (CB) – Gabriel’s played a lot of football this season and while Jakub Kiwior was signed to provide cover for the Brazilian, the Polish international is not yet ready to usurp the impressive centre-back.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – God, it’s been way too long since we saw this magician in action. Zinchenko earned minutes off the bench last Friday, but he’ll return to the starting XI this weekend.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – Partey was withdrawn at half-time of the defeat to Man City due to a reported rib injury and Arteta confirmed that the Ghanaian was a doubt for Saturday’s game in the build-up to the contest. I reckon he starts, though.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – The Swiss international has quietly impressed in Arsenal’s recent league encounters and will not be dropped for Saturday’s game.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – The Premier League’s most in-form creator will be back to lead the troops on Merseyside.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – It feels like the eight-day break was some welcome respite for Saka, who struggled at the Etihad last time out. Hopefully, he’s fresh and ready to go because he could tear Vitalii Mykolenko apart on Saturday.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – A rare scoreless outing for Nketiah culminated in Arsenal’s FA Cup exit. With Gabriel Jesus still out, Eddie’s place in the starting XI isn’t in doubt. Should his impressive form continue, Arteta will have a genuine selection dilemma once the Brazilian returns.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – What better way to celebrate a contract extension than by starring on Saturday to spearhead yet another Arsenal victory?