Fresh from announcing their intention to withdraw from the proposed European Super League, Arsenal will continue their Premier League campaign at home to top-four chasing Everton on Friday evening.
The Gunners are currently ninth in the table, three points behind eighth-placed Everton, who still have ambitions of finishing in the Champions League positions this term despite a disappointing run of form.
Match preview
The proposed European Super League appeared to come crashing down on Tuesday night as all six Premier League clubs confirmed their withdrawal; the Gunners will now be keen to put an incredible few days behind them when they resume their league campaign at home to top-four chasing Everton on Friday evening.
Mikel Arteta's side will bring a four-game unbeaten run into the contest, including an impressive 4-0 victory away to Slavia Prague in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on April 15, which set up a semi-final with Villarreal, with the first leg due to take place next week.
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham in their last league game, though, and needed a last-gasp equaliser from Eddie Nketiah to secure a share of the spoils against their relegation-threatened opponents.
The Gunners are currently ninth in the table, having picked up just 46 points from their 32 league games this term; they are nine points off fourth-placed Chelsea but sit just four points behind seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur as the race for European positions continues.
Arteta's side have won six, drawn four and lost six of their 16 home league games this term, which is a record that will hand Everton confidence, particularly as the Toffees recorded a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park back in December.
Everton, though, are currently on a run of six games without a victory in all competitions, while they have not been victorious in the Premier League since beating West Bromwich Albion at the start of March.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have seen their top-four hopes take a huge hit in recent weeks, picking up just three points from their last five league fixtures courtesy of draws in their last three encounters.
Indeed, back-to-back draws with Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion were followed by a 2-2 against Tottenham Hotspur on Friday, with Spurs securing a share of the spoils courtesy of Harry Kane's second of the match in the 68th minute.
The Toffees, as mentioned, are currently eighth in the table, six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea but now with a game in hand over the Blues, who dropped points at home to Brighton on Tuesday evening.
A win for the Merseyside giants on Friday would put them firmly in the top-four picture, and they have been impressive on their travels this term, boasting the fourth-best away record in the Premier League.
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Team News
Arsenal will again be without the services of David Luiz and Kieran Tierney through injury, while a hamstring problem is likely to keep Alexandre Lacazette on the sidelines for the next few weeks.
Martin Odegaard could be back in the squad following a foot injury, but there will not be a return for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was recently treated in hospital after contracting malaria.
Gabriel Martinelli could start through the middle as Lacazette and Aubameyang are both unavailable, although Nketiah, who scored against Fulham, is another option.
Arteta is likely to make changes from the side that started against the Cottagers last time out, with Nicolas Pepe and Thomas Partey both in line for starts.
As for Everton, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are still unavailable for selection, but Ancelotti has revealed that he otherwise has a full squad to choose from on Friday.
Indeed, Fabian Delph, Yerry Mina and Bernard are available for the trip to the Emirates Stadium, while Andre Gomes is back from a thigh problem, and the Toffees will be boosted by the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been struggling with an abductor problem.
The Toffees could go to a back three to make room for Calvert-Lewin's return, with Seamus Coleman potentially returning to the starting XI, allowing Ben Godfrey to move into a central position once again.
Tom Davies will be under pressure from Gomes should the Portuguese prove his fitness in the build up to kickoff, but the former might retain his position in the middle alongside fit-again Allan.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Xhaka; Thomas, Ceballos; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Saka; Martinelli
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Keane, Godfrey, Holgate; Coleman, Davies, Allan, Digne; Rodriguez; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
We say: Arsenal 1-2 Everton
Everton's away form this season has been excellent, recording nine wins from 15 Premier League fixtures on their travels. Arsenal, on the other hand, have found it difficult to show consistency at the Emirates Stadium, and we fancy Ancelotti's side to collect a huge three points on Friday courtesy of a narrow win.
Top tip
Video prediction
Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:
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