Everton vs Arsenal Preview: Injury Updates and Key Players

Everton walk into the Emirates this weekend with the bruises still fresh and the questions piling up, while Arsenal prepare to defend their title without some of their biggest weapons.

David Moyes’ side were brought sharply back to earth by a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Goodison Park, their first loss of the campaign and a reminder of how fragile early-season optimism can be. One win in six Premier League matches – that narrow success over Ipswich Town five weeks ago – is a thin platform on which to build a trip to the champions.

Yet if there is one area where Moyes can feel quietly satisfied, it is the treatment room.

Everton: Clarity and a cloud of mystery

For once, Everton are not the club counting the bodies.

Vitalii Mykolenko has shaken off the problem he picked up with Ukraine and is back in the fold. Christian Norgaard, returning to familiar surroundings against his former club, is also available and has already had a taste of action, coming off the bench late on against Chelsea.

On paper, Everton have no confirmed senior absentees. That is a rare luxury in a league campaign that has already started to stretch squads across the division.

But there is a caveat. Jarrad Branthwaite did not train on Thursday, a detail that instantly raised alarms over his availability for the trip to north London. Moyes shut that conversation down at his pre‑match press conference, refusing to be drawn on the defender’s condition – or anyone else’s, for that matter.

The Scot would only concede that a few players are carrying the usual “wear and tear” that comes with this stage of the season. Nothing more. No timelines, no hints.

So Everton travel with a clean injury list on the record, and one significant doubt in reality.

Out: None

Doubtful: Jarrad Branthwaite (unknown)

Arsenal: Champions without their cutting edge

If Everton’s situation feels relatively straightforward, Arsenal’s is anything but.

Mikel Arteta will be without Bukayo Saka, the heartbeat of his attack and a player Jamie Redknapp has previously called “outstanding”. Saka picked up a thigh injury this week that is expected to sideline him for up to two months. The full diagnosis is still being worked through, but there is no debate about Saturday: he will not face Everton.

He is not alone.

William Saliba, the defensive pillar of last season’s title run, remains out with the back injury he suffered at the World Cup. His absence has already forced Arsenal to adjust their defensive structure; it will do so again against a physically committed Everton side.

Christos Tzolis, a summer signing who offers direct running and threat from wide areas, is also unavailable. The winger is close to returning from the thigh injury sustained on Greece duty, but this fixture comes too soon.

Arteta, then, must defend his crown without his star winger, his first-choice centre-back and another attacking option from the bench.

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

Everton arrive with their manager playing his cards close to his chest and a single, nagging doubt over Branthwaite. Arsenal stand ready without three key pieces. Between a cautious Moyes and a patched-up champion, something will have to give at the Emirates.