Predicted Arsenal XI vs Everton: Partey back in; Trossard stays central

Arsenal’s long-awaited game in hand over title rivals Man City is upon us as Everton make the trip to the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Sean Dyche’s Toffees stunned the Premier League leaders in the reverse fixture a few weeks ago with the hosts stifling the Gunners in a 1-0 win. Mikel Arteta’s woeful record against the former Burnley boss continued as a result of the defeat, but the Spaniard will be determined to buck that trend on Wednesday.

The Arsenal boss has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, with Thomas Partey returning to action against Leicester at the weekend.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Everton

Here’s the starting XI Arteta could pick for Everton’s visit.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – It was a quiet outing for Ramsdale for the King Power and he’ll be hoping to enjoy a similar performance on Wednesday night.

Ben White (RB) – White struggled at Goodison Park, but I wouldn’t bring Takehiro Tomiyasu in for this one. The Gunners will face up against a deep-lying Everton defence, and White has proven his competence in the final third this season. Tomiyasu still leaves plenty to be desired in this phase.

William Saliba (CB) – Saliba was very good on Saturday and will retain his place. He’ll be grateful for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence.

Gabriel (CB) – The Brazilian has undoubtedly been the unsung hero in Arsenal’s majestic campaign thus far. He was once again excellent at the weekend.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – Arteta could rotate and bring in Kieran Tierney for this one, but I don’t think the boss ever wants to manage another game without Zinchenko in his XI.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – Partey should be close to 100% for Wednesday and while Jorginho has excelled in his absence, this is a game for the Ghanaian given Everton’s robustness in midfield. The Italian could be overwhelmed physically.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – Now, Arteta could perhaps use Partey in this role if he insists on retaining Jorginho in the XI. However, I don’t envisage that. Plus, Xhaka was pretty good at the King Power, especially in the second half.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – It’s been an unproductive few weeks for the skipper, but he’s dazzled in spurts and his status in the team is not under threat.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Saka was tamed by Vitalii Mykolenko last time out, but I doubt the Ukrainian will be able to hang with the England international for the second consecutive game. He’ll need to receive plenty of help from Dwight McNeil.

Leandro Trossard (ST) – The experiment worked on Saturday and I’d love to see it again against a low block. Eddie Nketiah was poor in the reverse fixture, so perhaps an alternate approach is necessary.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Having scored in back-to-back games, Martinelli will surely continue down the left. I think his overall influence will continue to diminish in Gabriel Jesus’ absence, but how can you complain if he’s producing in front of goal?