Monday, December 23, 2024

Arsenal vs. Everton: Team News & Likely Line-Ups For Both Sides

Arsenal will play host to Premier League football for the final time this season, as they welcome Everton to the Emirates Stadium.

Embed from Getty Images

In what could be Arsene Wenger’s final game at the North London ground, three points are an absolute must if the Gunners are to get Champions League football.

All of that rests on Everton’s Merseyside neighbours, Liverpool, slipping up when they welcome an already relegated Middlesbrough to Anfield this Sunday.

It was the Toffees who caused the first hiccup in Arsenal’s league campaign, having heading home a late winner to seal a surprise 2-1 victory at Goodison Park.

Things have changed dramatically both on and off the pitch since then, and now Arsenal stand in the very real prospect of missing out on a top four place.

Arsenal Team News

Arsene Wenger will know from experience that this is more than just a Premier League game and will ultimately use it to test his players out.

Embed from Getty Images

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have to sit out once again but is still confident of returning to fitness in time for next week’s FA Cup final.

Laurent Koscielny will face a late fitness test to determine whether or not he can play any part in this weekend, which could be the perfect warm-up he needs.

In all the doom and gloom there is some good news though, with Aaron Ramsey back in the squad despite coming off early during the 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Arsenal Absentees: Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring) Cazorla (ankle)

Arsenal’s Likely Line-Up

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Defence: Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Rob Holding

Midfield: Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka, Nacho Monreal

Attacking midfield: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil

Centre Forward: Danny Welbeck

Everton Team News

For Everton, things are pretty clear – they can’t got any higher and they can’t go any lower in the table, so you could say their season is already over.

Embed from Getty Images

However, the likes of Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku could use this game as their final audition to any top clubs coming after them this summer.

On the injury front, there’s some long-term issues that they’ve managed to get used to so it will be a similar line-up to the one they’ve used in recent weeks.

Aaron Lennon remains unavailable after suffering mental health issues and will no doubt get an ovation at some stage during the 90 minutes.

Everton Absentees: Bolasie (knee), Coleman (leg), Funes Mori (knee) Lennon (personal reasons), McCarthy (hamstring)

Everton’s Likely Line-Up

Goalkeeper: Robles

Defence: Holgate, Williams, Jagielka, Baines

Defensive Midfield: Gueye, Schneiderlin

Midfield: Davies, Barkley, Mirallas

Centre Forward: Lukaku

Make sure you’re following us on Twitter and Facebook for all of the latest updates regarding Arsenal’s final Premier League game!

Explore more