Arteta to make 4 big Arsenal changes vs Everton with Saka and Zubimendi rested
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could make four changes to the starting line-up for the Premier League game against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Gunners are top of the standings with a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who have a game in hand. They can temporarily extend the gap to 10 points by beating the Toffees.
Pep Guardiola’s side face a resurgent West Ham United at the London Stadium after the Arsenal game.
Ahead of tomorrow’s encounter, Arteta could make at least four changes to the starting XI. We could see the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi rested against the Toffees.
Riccardo Calafiori returns in defence
Piero Hincapie has been almost ever-present in the Premier League at left-back in recent months, but could be given a breather before the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen at home.
Calafiori is quite clearly the second-choice left-back at the moment, ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly. The Italian looks poised to return to the first XI and could make his first league start since the 3-0 win over Sunderland in early February.
Christian Norgaard finally starts
Zubimendi was given a much-needed break during the 2-1 win over Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round. Despite this, he looked weary at Leverkusen, losing possession 11 times. The Spaniard has not had such a workload during his career at Real Sociedad and may need another breather.
Norgaard has been knocking on the door for a starting spot in recent months. The £15 million signing has played just 56 minutes in six league appearances this campaign. The Dane could finally make his full league debut for the Gunners, replacing Zubimendi in the number six position.
Kai Havertz & Noni Madueke start in attack
Eberechi Eze was far from his best against Leverkusen. The 27-year-old’s movement was largely concentrated in the centre of the park and barely made an impact in an attacking capacity. Havertz came on as a striker in midweek and scored from the penalty spot against his former club.
The German could be unleashed as an attacking midfielder against the Toffees tomorrow. The other change could be on the right wing with Madueke replacing Saka, who is probably suffering from fatigue. The Gunners graduate was comfortably man-marked out of the game on Wednesday.
Madueke brought a different dimension with his directness and quicker decision-making. He won a vital penalty, which was converted by Havertz. The Englishman completed 95 percent of his passes, too, and won 100 percent of his duels. He looks poised to start on the right side of the Gunners’ attack.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
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