Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s matchwinner on his return to action – and he could now make his first start this calendar year.
The Gunners face Everton at Goodison Park in Saturday’s early afternoon kick-off – live on talkSPORT – looking to make it three Premier League wins on the bounce.
Saka is set to be included in the line-up having come off the bench in the recent 2-1 win over Fulham in what was his first appearance of 2025 following hamstring surgery in December.
It took Saka just seven minutes to get himself on the score sheet – heading into an empty net following an exquisite flicked pass by Gabriel Martinelli.
Saka’s goal – his tenth of the season in all competitions – put the Gunners 2-0 up at the Emirates before Rodrigo Muniz pulled one back in stoppage-time.
Despite missing 12 Premier League games since suffering his injury away at Crystal Palace on December 21, Saka remains Arsenal’s most creative player this term.
He has created more big chances [19] than any of his teammates in the top-flight, as well as providing the most assists [ten], with only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah boasting more key chances created [21] and assists [17] than the England international.
But, more impressively, Saka leads Europe’s top five leagues in terms of big chances created [1.34] per 90 minutes.
With Arsenal to host Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg tie on Tuesday night, boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping to give Saka more minutes to get him up to speed.
However, in a blow for Arsenal, they have been rocked by Gabriel Magalhaes’ season-ending hamstring injury picked up against Fulham, which requires surgery.
In the same game, right-back Jurrien Timber went off with his own knock – joining fellow defenders Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines.
Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at how Arsenal will start against Everton, with Arteta to be forced into tinkering with his starting XI as he keeps one on eye on Madrid.
David Raya has started all 30 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches – and it’ll be a major shock if he’s left out of any line-up in the remaining games this term barring any injury concerns.
Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly will likely keep his spot at left-back having established himself as a key player since his senior debut in September.
On the opposite side of defence, while White and Timber aren’t believed to be carrying any severe injuries, Arteta may look to rest the pair to save them against Los Blancos.
Should they be cautiously rested, defensive midfielder Thomas Partey could be deployed at right-back.
From the Ghanaian’s 40 appearances this season, 13 of them have come while playing in a full-back role.
Gabriel’s absence will see Jakub Kiwior making just his third Premier League start, with the Poland international to partner William Saliba in the heart of defence.
With Partey to potentially feature in the back-four, Jorginho could then step in to play in the lone No. 6 role.
The Brazilian-born Italy star, who is set to become a free agent this summer along with Partey, has been an unused substitute in the last three league matches.
Skipper Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice would then once again feature in their usual box-to-box roles.
Arteta will be keen on the duo adding to their goal tally, though, having scored just two league goals each this season.
Moving into the front-three and Saka could replace teenage starlet Ethan Nwaneri on the right wing – despite the 17-year-starring when deputising for his fellow academy graduate.
Should Arteta wish to start Saka against Real next week, he knows his prized asset must be given more game time.
On the left wing will likely be Gabriel Martinelli after putting in his best performance this season against Fulham.
The Brazilian winger created five chances in the London derby – the most of any player on the pitch.
And once again, central midfielder Mikel Merino will continue to lead the line up front in Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus’ absence.
Since being entrusted to be Arteta’s number nine, the Spaniard has scored four Premier League goals, with only Salah firing in on more occasions [five].
