Arsenal Pre-Everton Team News Update: Wenger Gives Latest On Sagna & Podolski

Arsenal take on Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Boss Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media this afternoon at his pre-match press conference and gave Arsenal.com a team news and injury update with the latest on the fitness of Bacary Sagna and Lukas Podolski.

Sagna was forced to miss the midweek win over Hull City with a slight hamstring problem and Wenger has confirmed the defender will remain on the sidelines this weekend. The Frenchman’s absence means Carl Jenkinson will continue to fill in at right-back.

The Arsenal boss also revealed that his squad are suffering no fresh injury concerns and there is further good news with Podolski returning to full training today  – although he’s still short of match fitness for this weekend’s game against Everton.

Here’s what Wenger told the clubs official website:

on the latest team news…

Apart from Podolski being back in training, everybody else is available from Wednesday night. We had no injuries and the players who were available then will be available for Everton.

on having Podolski back in training…

He’s been out for a long time and is still a bit short of match fitness because he had his first training session today [Friday]. But it’s good news to have him back.

on Bacary Sagna…

Bacary Sagna is short so he will not be in contention.

The Gunners head into the weekend action sitting four points clear of their nearest rivals so will hope to at least retain that advantage with a win over the Toffees.

While Podolski is expected to be back in contention next week, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby remain sidelined.

What would be your preferred starting eleven? Share your views below.