Arsenal are concerned Bukayo Saka could be out for two months after sustaining a thigh injury in their Champions League draw at Bayern Munich, while manager Mikel Arteta has praised Everton counterpart David Moyes ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting.
The Gunners will definitely be without the star winger for the Emirates Stadium clash (3pm kick-off) after he was forced off 10 minutes into the 2-2 draw in Germany on Wednesday. Reports this evening suggest the England international faces a minimum of six weeks on the sidelines following the setback.
Arteta confirms further scans
Earlier in the day, Arteta confirmed Saka was due to see further specialists. "He's got another MRI this afternoon because he had quite a lot of fluid in the area so it was difficult to understand the extent of the injury. We will know more probably tomorrow," he said.
"Again we need a few more scans and opinions from the specialists. Obviously when a player has to walk off the pitch, he is struggling to walk without any pain, he's restricted to movement, they are not good signs. Let's be a little bit patient so we can gave a definitive assessment and then let you know."
Arsenal have received a boost with defender Piero Hincapie passed fit, although they remain without William Saliba and Christos Tzolis alongside Saka.
Arteta's tribute to Moyes
The options at Arteta's disposal contrast sharply with those available to Moyes, the manager he played 209 appearances for during his eight-year stay with Everton. The veteran Scot is back on Merseyside for a second spell as Blues boss and has been dealt a tough hand after the club's poor end to the transfer window, leaving him with just 18 senior outfield players.
Asked in his pre-match press conference if Moyes is the real king of the Premier League, Arteta said: "100%. I don't know if he's the king or what he is, but he's certainly someone that we all look up to. Not only for his longevity, I think for what he represents for the game, what he represents for the Premier League, his trajectory.
"Me especially because I know the man behind the coach, which is the most important thing. Then I really know the coach and he's a superb coach."
Everton's challenge at the Emirates
The Blues head to north London on the back of their first defeat of the season in all competitions, having gone down 2-0 at home to Chelsea last Saturday. Defending champions Arsenal, who start the weekend in second and three points behind leaders Manchester City, will be favourites.
But Everton gave the Gunners a real run for their money at the Emirates in last season's corresponding clash. Arteta, responding to a question about the biggest threats his side will face on Saturday, said: "A lot, because I know David so well, the way he sets the team.
"Obviously the quality that they have in their organisation. And individually, it's not a coincidence that they didn't lose before the last game, because they are a really good team. And we know that as well, because in recent clashes it's always been a really difficult match for us."
