[4-3-3]: Talented academy star replaced Martinelli- Arsenal predicted lineup against Everton as Ruben Amorim confirms he has replaced Gabriel Martinelli with ‘talented academy star’
Arsenal could be boosted by the return of Gabriel for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Everton.
The Brazilian has sat out the Gunners’ last three games across all competitions due to a muscular problem, but took part in training on Friday.
Riccardo Calafiori, however, is expected to miss the match against Everton at the Emirates Stadium due to a groin injury.
“There is a possibility with one of them to be available. He trained today and we will see tomorrow,” said Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, when asked on Friday afternoon for an update on Calafiori and Gabriel.
Asked if that player was Gabriel, Arteta said: “Yup.”
Like Gabriel, Calafiori has missed Arsenal’s last three games and is still not quite ready to return.
“We are just respecting the times that the medical department has set and then we just monitor his evolution every single day,” said Arteta. “And we understand that he is not fully ready yet, but he is getting very close now.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko is also still out injured, along with fellow full-backs Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. That means Myles Lewis-Skelly may get another start at left-back.
Jurrien Timber should return at right-back after coming on as a substitute against Monaco on Wednesday night. That may see Thomas Partey moved back into midfield and Mikel Merino drop to the bench.
Kai Havertz is expected to replace Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal’s No9, while Leandro Trossard may come in for Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Saturday: 3pm GMT
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Craig Pawson
Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Gabriel, Heaven, Kiwior, Saliba, Tierney, Timber; Havertz, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Martinelli, Saka, Sterling and Trossard
Doubt: Gabriel
Injured: Calafiori (groin), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee), Zinchenko (muscle)
