Arsenal team news,injuries and suspensions ahead of Everton clash

Arsenal have a number of injury concerns ahead of their meeting with Everton at Goodison Park.

Unai Emery’s side picked up a valuable victory against Newcastle on Monday night and are now looking to consolidate their hold on fourth place.

The Gunners are currently well-placed in their pursuit of Champions League football, sitting a point behind Tottenham in third and holding a game in hand over their immediate rivals.

However, Arsenal need to make that extra match count and head into their clash with the Toffees waiting on the availability of Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka.

Ramsey suffered cramp against the Magpies but avoided any more serious injury and should be in contention to feature this weekend.

Koscielny is also likely to start, having withdrawn from the matchday squad ahead of the 2-0 win over Newcastle due to a bruised foot.

Xhaka missed out on Monday due to a tight groin and could well be rested by Emery with a Europa League quarter-final against Napoli on the horizon.

Meanwhile, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is one booking away from a two-match suspension so could be left out in favour of Nacho Monreal in a back three.

The Greek international only needs to make it past one more week before the threshold for another ban moves up from 10 to 15 yellow cards.

Lucas Torreira is set to serve the final match of his three-game suspension and Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding remain long-term absentees.

Emery also has a decision to make regarding Mesut Ozil, with the German having impressed last time out against Newcastle.

Ozil has often not been trusted against high-intensity, particularly away from home, but has made a strong case for his inclusion here.