After a disappointing defeat to Manchester United, let’s take a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup for Monday’s trip to Everton.

MANCHEavSTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal walks onto the pitch after their sides defeat in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 02, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manchester, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal walks onto the pitch after their sides defeat in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 02, 2021. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The Premier League’s top three pulled further away from the rest in midweek, whilst the trailing pack just grew more congested. There’s now a three-point gap between fourth and eighth.

Arsenal sit fifth, ahead of Spurs by a point having played a game more, and now just two points clear of Manchester United. They need a win against Everton, who have dropped down to 14th.

Arsenal haven’t had the best recent record at Goodison Park though, failing to win on the last three attempts.

As Mikel Arteta looks to change that, here’s our predicted Arsenal lineup to face Everton.

Goalkeeper

LONDON, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal celebrates his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2021. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal celebrates his side’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2021. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in the team, given little of the blame for the three goals Arsenal conceded to United can be laid at his feet.

There’s also the fact that Bernd Leno missed the United match through injury, and may not be fit by Monday anyway. In that case, Arthur Okonkwo will presumably keep his place on the bench.

Defence

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Nuno Tavares of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on November 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Nuno Tavares of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on November 07, 2021. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

It’s hard to see many changes in defence, as Arteta seems pretty committed to the current back-four.

Once again, there’s a question over whether Kieran Tierney or Nuno Tavares starts at left-back. Arteta has opted for Tavares every time over the last few weeks, so we would be foolish to bet against another start for the summer signing.

As for the other three positions, we’re very likely to see more minutes for Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Midfield

Albert Sambi Lokonga A at the EPL match Arsenal v Norwich City, at the Emirates Stadium, London, UK on 11th September, 2021.
Albert Sambi Lokonga during the EPL match between Arsenal and Norwich City, at the Emirates Stadium, London, UK on 11th September 2021

Albert Sambi Lokonga should come back into the team, as he’s arguably Arsenal’s best-performing central midfielder at the moment.

Conversely, Thomas Partey will likely keep his place not because he’s earning it, but because Arsenal need him to start stepping up if they’re going to achieve anything this season.

Martin Odegaard will likely start ahead of them, after a mixed game at Old Trafford where he scored and conceded a penalty.

Forwards

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 22, 2021. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

There’s a lot of talk about Gabriel Martinelli, and his performances in the last two games probably have him deserving of a start, but it’s just hard to see how he gets one.

The fact is, Martinelli’s strong performances have come on the right-hand side, not up front or behind the striker.

So the only way in for him is if Arteta drops Bukayo Saka, and that seems unlikely, especially when Martinelli has just played his first 90 minutes of the season a few days before this game. It was a different story on Thursday, with Saka carrying an injury.

Emile Smith Rowe will probably keep his place on the left, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is similar to Partey in the sense that he’ll start because Arsenal need him to find form.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton created using Chosen11.com
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton created using Chosen11.com