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Football London
Sport
James Benge

Sokratis risked, Iwobi dropped, Ramsey and Aubameyang start - predicted Arsenal XI vs Everton

This afternoon marks the beginning of a defining run of games for Arsenal in their season.

They head to Goodison Park to face an Everton side which has beaten Chelsea and West Ham United recently in relatively good shape results wise as well as health wise.

Aaron Ramsey didn't complete the full 90 minutes against Newcastle United on Monday night, but tests on the Welsh midfielder confirmed that he suffered cramp rather than anything more serious.

Arsenal picture special: Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil and Lacazette train ahead of Everton clash

That's a boost given Lucas Torreira remains suspended and Granit Xhaka is continuing his recovery from a tight groin after sitting out the win over the Magpies and is in contention for the game on Merseyside.

However, Unai Emery must carefully manage his squad's fitness with both legs of a Europa League quarter-final against Napoli and a Premier League game at Watford on the immediate horizon.

The Spaniard must also make a decision on the involvement of Sokratis Papastathopoulos .

If the Greek centre-back were to be booked against the Toffees he would receive a two game ban for having picked up 10 yellow cards in the first 32 games of the season.

Sokratis would be in the clear after the visit to Goodison Park and would need to pick up a further six bookings before the end of the season to receive a three match ban.

But with there being no sign of Laurent Koscielny in any of the training pictures, in all likelihood Emery will be forced to gamble on Sokratis ' disciplinary record this afternoon and he is also expected to keep faith in Ramsey as Matteo Guendouzi's partner in central midfield.

Further forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to be available to start after a high temperature forced Emery to name the striker among his substitutes on Monday.

In terms of changes, there is likely to be just the one from the team which started on Monday night with the Gabon international coming in for Alex Iwobi .

Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Kolasinac; Ozil; Aubameyang, Lacazette

Arsenal 2018/19 awards: Player of the season, best goal, most improved, best moment & best game

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