Key Arsenal Player Set for Return as Gunners Face Struggling Everton

Arsenal is gearing up to take on Everton in a pivotal Premier League clash at The Emirates this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s men, buoyed by a stellar 3-0 Champions League victory over Monaco midweek, are eager to build momentum and close the gap on league leaders Liverpool.

Sitting third in the table with 29 points, the Gunners are keen to avoid another slip after their recent league draw with Fulham.

The spotlight remains on Arteta’s squad selection, with Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness dominating pre-match discussions.

Arteta, typically reserved, offered no clear updates in his press conference, but fans hope for positive news. Gabriel’s return would be particularly crucial as Arsenal faces a defensively solid yet creatively limited Everton side.

Everton enters this game after a mixed December under Sean Dyche, marked by a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United and an emphatic 4-0 win over Wolves.

Despite their occasional flashes of brilliance, the Toffees sit precariously near the relegation zone, plagued by inconsistency and defensive frailties.

Arsenal, in contrast, is unbeaten since early November, boasting three wins and two draws across competitions.

Historically, this fixture has delivered iconic moments, including Arsenal’s title-clinching 4-0 win in May 1998 under Arsène Wenger and the unforgettable 7-0 rout in 2005.

While such dominance may seem a distant memory, Arsenal fans will hope for a repeat of last season’s commanding 4-0 victory over Everton, where Martinelli, Ødegaard, and Saka ran riot.

Everton’s defensive approach, often morphing into a compact 5-4-1 without the ball, could pose a challenge. The Toffees rely heavily on long balls to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who leads the league in aerial duels won.

Their set-piece prowess has been a bright spot, with all four goals in their recent win against Wolves coming from dead-ball situations.

However, their vulnerabilities in open play—conceding heavily to the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United, and Aston Villa—provide Arsenal an opportunity to exploit.

Adrian Clarke, writing in Arsenal’s matchday programme, emphasized the need for quick and clinical play to break down Everton’s resistance.

Wide forwards like McNeil and N’Diaye will press hard, but Arsenal’s firepower in Saka, Martinelli, and Ødegaard should be enough to tip the scales.

A win is vital for Arsenal to maintain their title ambitions. A draw would be a setback, and a loss could significantly dent their hopes of catching Liverpool.

With the Gunners in fine form and Everton’s defense looking shaky, fans will expect nothing less than a dominant performance.