Lewis-Skelly rewarded, Rice and Martinelli dropped – Arsenal changes vs Everton

The Christmas fixture list is now truly in full swing with Arsenal playing their fourth game in 11 days as they face Everton at the Emirates Stadium. The benefit the Gunners have is of course the fact they’re not leaving London for these home or away games.

A trip to Crystal Palace is coming next week and then on New Year’s Day they go to Brentford. Mikel Arteta will be looking to manage his squad carefully, not just to avoid injury but to deal with the current fitness issues his side face.

There is also some concerning accumulation of cautions which see five players just one or two bookings away from a one-match suspension. With that said, football.london takes a look at the potential changes to the team Arteta might make for the visit of Everton this weekend.

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David Raya will be an undeniable inclusion as the wait for Neto’s first appearance for the Gunners goes on – for Arteta, he will hope indefinitely. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber will also maintain their roles but with the latter moving to the right-hand side.

Myles Lewis-Skelly truly impressed in his first Champions League start for the Gunners and has earned a potential start this weekend, meaning that the left side is guaranteed a naturally left-footed player. Gabriel Magalhaes is a hope to be fit for the weekend as Arteta is expected to provide more clarity in the pre-match press conference.

Into midfield and Declan Rice, who is not suspended for this match, is perhaps in need of a rest. With a hectic schedule ahead and Thomas Partey in the side it might be advisable to give Rice a rest before a League Cup quarter-final and another clash with Crystal Palace away from home days later.

Mikel Merino impressed in the left eight, which makes the reason behind resting Rice even more feasible. Martin Odegaard naturally will continue in the attacking midfield role but will hope to end his ongoing goal drought from open play.

Up top, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard appear to be swapping starts with each fixture and therefore it would line-up for the Belgian to come in. There is always scope that Raheem Sterling could also get a chance although he has so far failed to impress.

Kai Havertz came off the bench to score his tenth of the season against Monaco meaning he is tracking toward a 20-goal season with the Gunners. Bukayo Saka meanwhile will be looking to continue to chase down Thierry Henry’s assist record.

Changed Arsenal XI vs Everton: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard