3-4-1-2: Duo fit as Emery makes 2 changes | Expected Arsenal line-up vs Everton

Arsenal will be looking to reclaim third place in the Premier League table with a win over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon. Here is the side Gooner Mac thinks Unai Emery will select for the game:

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno continued his solid season with a clean sheet against Newcastle United last time out and the German stopper is expected to keep his place ahead of Petr Cech between the sticks this weekend.

Defence: Arsenal will hand a late fitness test to Laurent Koscielny after he missed the Newcastle game on Monday night with a foot problem. The Frenchman didn’t train today but the issue isn’t thought to be serious so Koscielny should be in contention if he trains on Saturday.

Sokratis is likely to keep his place in defence while Nacho Monreal has quietly impressed on the left side of a back three in recent games so he should also retain his spot in Emery’s team. If Koscielny is fit, then Shkodran Mustafi could be the man to miss out but he’ll be on stand-by if our skipper is ruled out.

Midfield: Granit Xhaka is a major doubt as he’s yet to return to training after missing the Newcastle game with a groin injury that he sustained while away with Switzerland during the recent international break. The midfielder will be assessed at training on Saturday but time is running out for him to prove his fitness.

There is better news on Aaron Ramsey as he was able to resume full training on Friday after being forced off with a groin injury against Newcastle. With Lucas Torreira still suspended and Xhaka likely to miss out, Ramsey should continue alongside Matteo Guendouzi against Everton.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is available despite picking up a knock on Monday so he should keep his place in the right wing-back position while Sead Kolasinac will once again start on the opposite flank.

Attack: Mesut Ozil has been back in favour recently having started the last four games and he’s performed very well so I expect the German playmaker to retain his place in the Arsenal attack this weekend. We certainly look far more fluid going forward with Ozil in the team so he deserves to start against Everton.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is pushing for a recall having only been named on the bench last time out due to a fever. The Gabon international could resume his partnership alongside Alexandre Lacazette up front as the Frenchman has become a vital player for us recently. His work rate is impressive, his link-up play is great and he’s a goal threat so I don’t see how the Arsenal boss can leave him out.

That means Alex Iwobi may drop to the bench where he’ll be joined by Henrikh Mkhitaryan while Denis Suarez is also expected to be named among the substitutes once again.

Here is how I think we’ll see Arsenal line-up: