Arsenal vs Everton: Between Player Rotation and Full Team

JAKARTA - Arsenal is likely to overhaul the squad when facing Everton in the English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, Sunday, March 15, 2026 WIB. However, it is not impossible for Arsenal to still go down full team because manager Mikel Arteta wants to keep the points gap with second-ranked Manchester City.

Arsenal almost lost when they played against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Champions League 16th round. Fortunately, Kai Havertz's penalty in the last minute of the match saved Arsenal and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The second match, which will be held at Arsenal's home, will be decisive. Will Leverkusen be able to create a surprise at the Emirates in the upcoming midweek match. Or will Arsenal manage to advance to the quarter finals while maintaining the opportunity to win the trophy with a wide ear for the first time.

Just before facing Leverkusen in the Champions League, The Gunners will host Everton. A match that is no less important for Arsenal who are also hunting for the English League title for the first time since 2004.

Arsenal, who are leading the standings, are seven points ahead of Man City. If they win against Everton, they can get 70 points and be 10 points ahead. Only, Man City, who will face West Ham United, still has one match against Crystal Palace. This makes the competition in the domestic competition still fierce.

The question is, Everton is clearly not an easy opponent. The team coached by David Moyes is ranked eighth so they have the ambition to get a ticket to compete in Europe next season. At least, The Toffees can compete in the UEFA Conference League or Europe's third-class competition.

Even though he met a tough opponent, Arteta will come down with a different formation. Moreover, Arteta will not force two pillar players, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard to play against Everton. They have actually recovered, but Arteta is still waiting for the decision of the medical team whether they can play or not.

"We'll see. We still have to wait for the doctors to explain. Whether they can play or not," said Arteta.

Odegaard suffered a knee injury against Brentford last month. The 27-year-old captain had actually played even if only briefly against Tottenham Hotspur. After leading Arsenal to a crushing 4-1 win in The North London Derby or North London Derby, Odegaard did not play again.

Meanwhile, Trossard suffered an injury against Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Belgian national team player has actually been training in preparation for Leverkusen. However, he did not make the squad in the match.

In the match against Everton, Arteta again relied on Bukayo Saka who, along with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli, supported striker Viktor Gyokeres. Meanwhile, Havertz, who saved Arsenal in the Champions League, was back on the bench.

Even though Saka has not scored a goal for a long time, he is still the first choice. He last broke the opponent's goal last month when facing Wolverhampton Wanderers. This ended Saka's goal drought for the previous 15 matches.

"We still fully believe in him and still love him," Arteta said in response to Saka.

"What he has given to this club is really impressive for his age. And he continues to have a big impact on us," he said.

Starting XI

Arsenal: Raya-Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie,; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Eze, Martinelli; Gyokeres

Everton: Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto