Everton vs Arsenal live: Team news and updates from Premier League clash

Despite the scenes of celebration on the pitch, and the fact they were staying top of the league, the Arsenal dressing room had nowhere near the same feel of victory after the late 2–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. You might have thought the leaders had lost. Arteta told the media the performance was way below the standards required, but he had already said it in far stronger terms to the players.

You can understand the concern, and there is reason for Arsenal to be worried now. Their performances have abruptly dropped – quite badly – while Manchester City have returned to imperious form.

Guardiola might be playing a new way, but the 3–0 win over Crystal Palace had an old feel. It was City constantly keeping the opposition at bay, always looking just out of reach. Oliver Glasner’s team, of course, gave Guardiola problems, but that was always going to matter less when Erling Haaland simply takes his chances.

One ominous new development for everyone else is that Phil Foden is scoring alongside the Norwegian, as City have finally added more goals from other angles.

From a team touted for relegation to one contending for Europe in the top half of the table, the David Moyes has truly rolled back the years on the blue side of Merseyside.

The Toffees have four league wins in their last six, including one over Manchester United at Old Trafford and are proving a handful for any opponent, despite their toothless striker options.

Instead, its their midfield creativity that has been their source of joy this season – but with Iliman Ndiaye at AFCON and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall injured, how will they fare this evening?

Gabriel is “not far” from returning to the Arsenal line-up, Mikel Arteta revealed yesterday, as the manager gave an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Everton this weekend.

“He’s pushing hard, as he does,” Arteta said. “He’s doing [training] sessions, he’s not too far. We have to see how he progresses but we are quite positive.”

Ben White added his name to the injury list with a hamstring strain picked up during the Gunners’ dramatic 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend, and he is not expected to return until the new year.

Arteta also spoke about Kai Havertz, suggesting he could soon return to the side after a long period out with a knee injury, and explained that Martin Zubimendi missed training this week due to load management.

The face on Rob Edwards said it all as he applauded the Wolves supporters at the Emirates. The Premier League’s bottom side were moments away from just a third point of the season, away at the leaders, only to be denied as a second own goal of the night consigned themselves to a ninth straight defeat.

It was all too close to comfort for Arsenal against the league’s stragglers last weekend. Relive the action through Jamie Braidwood’s report from the Emirates:

Everton XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish, Barry

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

Arsenal continue to be without Gabriel Magalhaes, while Ben White is a new addition to their injury list.

Kai Havertz remains out but is nearing a return.

Riccardo Calafiori is available after serving his suspension.

Everton will be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall due to a hamstring injury but Jack Grealish is available.

Everton have lost Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye to the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Premier League match will kick off at 8pm on Saturday 20 December.

It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage following the previous game between Tottenham and Liverpool.

The Gunners endured a near-calamity against bottom-of-the-table Wolves last weekend, requiring two own goals – including one in the dying seconds of stoppage time – to beat the league’s stragglers 2-1 at the Emirates.

Having lost to Aston Villa the game prior, Mikel Arteta’s side appear to be going through something of a blip and will be eager to get back to the firing form that has made them favourites for the title this season.

The pressure is on, however, with Manchester City leapfrogging them into top spot after beating West Ham earlier in the afternoon.

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Arsenal’s trip to Everton in the Premier League.

We’ll have all the build-up, team news and minute-by-minute updates from the game, right here!