Everton will be without James Rodriguez and Allan for today’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.
Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the double injury blow during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon and he must now devise a plan without his two summer signings.
Meanwhile, Fabian Delph is also out, but Everton can welcome back captain Seamus Coleman after fives games on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
“Allan had a problem on his hamstring and we don’t know [exactly] how many games he will be out for,” said Ancelotti told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “But for the games in this period, he is not going to play.
“Seamus Coleman is available. Seamus has a strong desire to play. He is a fantastic captain for us and it is really important he is back.
“James is not ready yet. I think it is too soon to put him at risk.He is working and I hope he can be ready for the game against United
“Fabian Delph is doing individual treatment. It is too soon to talk about how long it will be before he comes back.”
Gabriel Martinelli could be set for a surprise return to the first-team matchday squad for the game at Goodison Park.
Well, that’s what some Arsenal fans think.
In an attempt to build up his fitness, the forward was due to play for the U23’s once again in their Premier League 2 clash against Leicester City on Friday evening.
However, when the line-up was announced there was no sign of Martinelli in the squad.
With that in mind, Arsenal fans think there’s a simple reason as to why Martinelli did not feature against the Foxes and many believe that it confirms he will be involved against the Toffees.
When Arsenal travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton it marks almost a year to the day when the fixture was played out in the Premier League.
In attendance, that day were the two newly appointed managers and both had been linked with each other’s new jobs in the build-up.
Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta were both linked with each other’s jobs almost exactly one year ago (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Carlo Ancelotti’s experience was viewed by some as the perfect for Arsenal’s post-Wenger transition period, while Arteta’s clear tactical vision and fresh ideas was being put forward as a solution for the problems on Merseyside.
