Arsenal XI vs Everton: Predicted lineup, team news, injury update

Arsenal head to Merseyside on Saturday night with pressure building at both ends of the pitch, as Mikel Arteta weighs up a major attacking decision ahead of the Premier League clash with Everton.

Kick-off at Hill Dickinson Stadium comes at 8pm GMT on Saturday, 20 December 2025, and by then the Gunners could find themselves sitting second in the table if Manchester City beat West Ham earlier in the day. That context only sharpens the focus on Arteta’s selection choices — particularly in attack, where Arsenal’s big-money summer signing is struggling for form.

Viktor Gyokeres has scored just once in his last ten Premier League appearances and looked short of confidence in last weekend’s win over Wolves. With Arsenal’s title push finely balanced, Arteta must now decide whether loyalty or form should dictate his forward line.

There is more clarity elsewhere in the squad.

Riccardo Calafiori is available again after serving a suspension and could return straight into the starting XI at left-back. Ben White, however, will miss the next few games with a hamstring issue, which Arteta has described as “not major” but significant enough to sideline him for now.

Arsenal are still without Gabriel and Kai Havertz, although both are said to be progressing well in their recoveries. Youngster Dowman and Mosquera also remain unavailable.

In midfield, Martin Ødegaard could be recalled after starting on the bench against Wolves, potentially replacing Eberechi Eze. Out wide, Leandro Trossard’s recent performances give him a strong chance of starting ahead of Gabriel Martinelli on the left.

Arteta is expected to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 shape, balancing control in midfield with flexibility in attack.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3):
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiori;
Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard;
Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Despite his recent struggles, Gyokeres is still expected to start, with Arteta likely to back him to rediscover form rather than make a drastic change away from home.

In our view, this feels like a defining moment in Gyokeres’ Arsenal spell. Having followed Arsenal closely this season, Arteta has consistently shown patience with players he trusts — but that patience usually has a limit.

Starting Gyokeres again would be a vote of confidence, but Merino’s form has made this a genuine debate rather than a theoretical one. Against an Everton side that defend deep and thrive on physical duels, Arsenal may need sharper movement and quicker combinations than they showed last weekend.

Although some fans may want immediate change, Arteta may see this fixture as a final chance for Gyokeres to respond before rotation becomes inevitable over the festive period.

Everton’s compact shape will likely force Arsenal wide, increasing the importance of Saka and Trossard in one-v-one situations. Ødegaard’s return could also be key in breaking lines and feeding runners early, especially if Gyokeres struggles to impose himself centrally.

Arsenal’s focus is firmly on Saturday night’s trip to Everton, where a positive result would keep them firmly in the title race heading into a demanding festive schedule. Kick-off at Hill Dickinson Stadium is set for 8pm GMT on Saturday, 20 December 2025, with the Gunners knowing that dropped points could be costly given Manchester City’s earlier fixture.

Beyond Everton, Arteta is expected to rotate intelligently with a Carabao Cup clash against Crystal Palace coming on Tuesday, which may offer minutes to players like Gabriel Jesus and others working back to full sharpness. With injuries beginning to ease and competition increasing across the pitch, Arsenal’s next few selections could define how strong their challenge remains into the new year.

👉 Arsenal fans — should Arteta stick with Gyokeres away at Everton, or is it time to reward Merino with another start?