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Team news: Duo return but Arsenal could be without 5 players vs Everton

By on February 22, 2020

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Arsenal have provided a team news update ahead of Sunday’s clash with Everton and Mikel Arteta is set to welcome two key players back into the squad for the game.

Mesut Ozil was given permission to miss our Europa League trip to Olympiacos on Thursday night to attend the birth of his baby but the club have confirmed the playmaker is now available for selection against Everton.

Lucas Torreira also didn’t make the trip to Athens for the Europa League win in midweek due to illness but the Uruguayan international midfielder has been passed fit to return tomorrow.

I assumed Hector Bellerin had been rested against Olympiacos but Arsenal have revealed the right-back was suffering from tightness in his groin and he’ll need to be assessed ahead of Sunday’s visit of Everton.

Sokratis filled-in at right-back in Greece on Thursday night but he is now a doubt to face the Toffees after limping off with a knee problem during the latter stages of our 1-0 win over Olympiacos.

January signing Cedric Soares is expected to resume full training before the end of the month as he looks to recover from a knee injury that he was carrying when he arrived on loan from Southampton last month.

Arsenal have also provided an update on Kieran Tierney and the left-back is on-course to return to full training by the end of February but obviously Calum Chambers won’t play again this season due to a serious knee injury.

The latest team news, as per Arsenal.com:

Hector Bellerin
Back in full training and being assessed ahead of Everton (h) further to missing Olympiacos (a) as a precaution to tight left groin.

Calum Chambers
Left knee. Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during Chelsea (h) on 29 December. Successful surgery completed. Rehabilitation process expected to take between six to nine months.

Mesut Ozil
Available for selection.

Cedric Soares
Left knee. Progressing well with gym work. Aiming to be in full training by the end of February.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Right knee. Sustained during Olympiacos (a). Being assessed ahead of Everton (h).

Lucas Torreira
Available for selection.

Kieran Tierney
Right shoulder. Dislocated right shoulder during West Ham Utd (a) on 9 December. Good progress being made in rehabilitation process and has commenced participation in group training sessions. Aiming to be in back in full training by the end of February.

So Mikel Arteta is still having to deal with a number of injury concerns ahead of the Everton game as he could be without as many as five players but it will be a big boost to have Ozil and Torreira available again.

We desperately need a win to close the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea following their victory over Tottenham today so hopefully we can continue our recent solid form.