Everton vs Arsenal Preview: Injury Concerns and Squad Updates

Everton walk into north London with bruises still fresh and questions swirling, but with one quiet advantage: almost everyone is fit.

David Moyes takes his team to Emirates Stadium on Saturday to face reigning champions Arsenal, just a week after a flat 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea halted their unbeaten start. One win in six Premier League games – that lone success coming against Ipswich Town five weeks ago – has stripped away any early-season comfort. Now comes a trip to a stadium where mistakes are usually punished and hesitations exposed.

Moyes keeps his cards close

If Arsenal’s issues are obvious and public, Everton’s are being kept firmly in-house. Moyes has watched his injury list shrink in recent weeks and, on paper, he travels with a near-clean bill of health.

Vitalii Mykolenko has shaken off the knock he picked up on international duty with Ukraine and is available. Christian Norgaard, once on Arsenal’s books, is also back in the fold and has already tasted action, coming off the bench late on against Chelsea to make his debut.

For a league where managers routinely lament absentees, Everton stand out. There are no confirmed senior players ruled out.

There is, however, one concern. Jarrad Branthwaite did not train on Thursday, a conspicuous absence that instantly raised doubts over his involvement at the weekend. Moyes was asked. Moyes declined. The Scot refused to be drawn on Branthwaite’s condition at his pre-match press conference, and broadened that silence to the rest of his squad, offering only a vague nod to “wear and tear” within the group.

So Everton travel with a single known doubt: Branthwaite, status unclear, hovering over Moyes’ plans. Otherwise, the manager has options – and no excuses.

• Out: None
• Doubtful: Jarrad Branthwaite (unknown)

Arsenal count the cost

On the other side, Mikel Arteta must juggle more obvious problems.

Bukayo Saka, the heartbeat of so much of Arsenal’s attacking play, has been sidelined by a thigh injury picked up this week. Early indications suggest he could miss up to two months. The full medical picture is still emerging, but one fact is settled: he will not face Everton. A player Jamie Redknapp has previously labelled “outstanding” will be watching this one from the stands.

He is not alone. William Saliba, a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defence, remains out with the back injury he suffered at the World Cup. His absence continues to reshape Arteta’s back line and the way Arsenal build from deep.

Christos Tzolis also misses out. The summer signing, recovering from a thigh problem sustained with Greece, is edging closer to a return but will not be ready in time for Everton’s visit.

So while Arsenal still carry the aura of champions at home, they do so without three significant pieces of their puzzle.

• Out: Bukayo Saka (thigh), William Saliba (back), Christos Tzolis (thigh)

Everton arrive with their squad largely intact, their manager tight-lipped, and their form fragile. Arsenal step out diminished but still dangerous. One side hides its issues, the other wears them plainly. On Saturday, only one of them can walk away saying the gamble paid off.