How Arsenal could line-up at Everton with Granit Xhaka making SHOCK early comeback from knee injury and Smith Rowe doubt
TOP-FOUR chasing Arsenal have been handed a MASSIVE injury boost with midfielder Granit Xhaka returning to full training.
The Gunners could, however, be without main man Emile Smith Rowe for Monday’s trip to Everton.
Smith Rowe has a slight groin problem, the club has revealed.
A number of fringe first-team players are also a doubt for Monday’s trip to Merseyside.
Back-up goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Said Kolasinac could both miss the trip too.
Both teams come into the fixture off the back of losses to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.
Everton are, however, without a win in eight – so form favours the Gunners.
A win at Goodison Park would see Arsenal go one point behind fourth-place West Ham.
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With Xhaka back in contention, the Swiss star could come straight back into the starting line-up.
He could start alongside Thomas Partey in the middle of the park, replacing Mohamed Elneny.
Bukayo Saka could come into Mikel Arteta‘s starting 11, replacing Smith Rowe.
The Gunners could revert back to a 4-2-3-1, with Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard starting behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Aaron Ramsdale is almost certain to keep his place, as are most of the back four.
However, Arteta could hand Kieran Tierney a rare start in place of Nuno Tavares.
Alternatively, out of favour big-money signing Nicolas Pepe could be handed a rare start out wide on the right flank.
Arteta could also look to change shape and play two up top, bringing in Alexandre Lacazette – who’s out of contract next summer – to partner Aubameyang.
And if Xhaka is only fit enough to start from the bench, Albert Sambi Lokonga could start in the heart of the midfield.
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