Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the Gunners will be without the injured Emile Smith Rowe when they visit Goodison Park for tomorrow’s game against Everton, while midfielder Thomas Partey remains a doubt.
Arsenal currently top the Premier League table with a 5 point lead over second place Manchester City, while Everton sit in 19th place and haven’t won a game since the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace last October.
Such a dreadful run of form for the Toffees saw them dispense with the services of Frank Lampard, replacing him with former Burnley man Sean Dyche, who takes charge of the Blues for the first time tomorrow.
Everton will be looking for a ‘new manager boost’, a run of improved form that often coincides with a change of coach, and Dyche will no doubt be buoyed by the news that Arsenal may be without such key players, alongside the long-term absentees of Gabriel Jesus and Mohamed Elneny.
Regarding midfielder Thomas Partey’s potential absence, Arteta confirmed the Ghanaian international picked up a rib injury in the FA Cup tie against Manchester City last week stating,
“Let’s see, that one is still a doubt. Let’s see today how he comes in and if he’s able to train with the team or not. We’ll make a decision.
“He’s not ruled out and it’s nothing very significant, but it was significant to get him out of the game, which for Thomas is a bit unusual.
Hopefully he will be fine.”
Partey’s absence will likely see Arsenal’s new signing Jorginho occupy his place in midfield, with the Italian international having already scored at Goodison Park this season, controversially from the penalty spot in Chelsea’s 1-0 over the Blues last August.
The enormity of the game for both sides can’t be underestimated, but getting something out of the game could start a resurgence in confidence for Everton.