Arsenal vs Everton predicted line-ups: Madueke tipped for Saka’s role as Eze returns to starting XI

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Noni Madueke moves to the right and Eberechi Eze starts on the left in our Arsenal vs Everton predicted line-ups, with Bukayo Saka expected to miss Saturday’s match after his injury against Bayern Munich.

Everton’s main selection question is at right-back, where Ainsley Maitland-Niles faces competition after the defeat by Chelsea. Our prediction gives Jake O’Brien the nod.

The Premier League fixture kicks off at 3pm BST on Saturday 24 October at the Emirates Stadium. These are predicted teams, not confirmed starting XIs.

Arsenal predicted XI: Madueke and Eze flank Ødegaard

Predicted XI, 4-2-3-1: David Raya; Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori; Bruno Guimarães, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze; Kai Havertz.

Saka’s early withdrawal in Munich is the most significant development affecting Arsenal’s selection. Our Saka injury update covers the incident, but a firm return date has not been established in the information checked for this prediction.

Eze replaced him against Bayern and scored Arsenal’s opener, as recorded in the club’s match report.

Our selection puts Madueke on the right, giving Eze a starting role from the left while retaining Ødegaard centrally. That would allow Arteta to change the personnel around his captain without also changing the basic attacking shape.

It is the combination explored in our analysis of Arsenal’s options without Saka. Max Dowman offers another possibility, but we favour the more experienced pair to start.

Havertz keeps his place in this prediction, although Viktor Gyökeres is a clear alternative up front. Myles Lewis-Skelly also provides an option if Arteta changes the midfield following the European trip.

Arsenal’s defensive selection depends on Hincapie’s progress

William Saliba and Christos Tzolis remain sidelined, while Piero Hincapie’s availability is uncertain, according to Sports Mole’s latest team-news assessment.

We therefore select White, Konsa, Gabriel and Calafiori across the back four.

Hincapie’s possible return would increase Arteta’s options, but it should not be treated as confirmation that he is ready to start. The distinction between returning to the squad and being selected in the XI is particularly relevant after an injury.

Everton predicted XI: O’Brien gets the right-back call

Predicted XI, 4-2-3-1: Jordan Pickford; Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykolenko; James Garner, Harrison Armstrong; Merlin Röhl, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish; Thierno Barry.

We predict one change from the Everton team that started against Chelsea, with O’Brien replacing Maitland-Niles.

That is an editorial selection call, rather than an injury-enforced change. Maitland-Niles remains an option, while Röhl’s ability to play at right-back gives David Moyes another route if he wants to alter the attacking line as well.

Our prediction retains Röhl further forward, with Dewsbury-Hall behind Barry and Grealish on the left. Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George offer alternatives if Moyes prefers a different wide threat.

Christian Nørgaard’s return against Chelsea also gives Everton another midfield option. We retain Garner and Armstrong rather than assume the Dane’s availability automatically brings a starting place.

The confirmed teams will resolve those decisions before kick-off. Our Arsenal–Everton viewing guide explains how supporters can follow Saturday’s match.

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