Jarrad Branthwaite has been ruled out of Everton's match at Arsenal, with the defender missing the game at the Emirates Stadium due to concussion procedure rather than a new injury. In a separate blow for the Blues, Jack Grealish is also absent because of sickness.
Concussion and Sickness Sideline Duo
Branthwaite's absence follows a collision with opposition goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during Everton's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea last Saturday, which forced the centre-back out of the action. The Argentinian 2022 World Cup winner went to hospital after the incident.
Manager David Moyes had revealed Branthwaite picked up a knock when deputising for Vitalii Mykolenko in the 2-2 draw at Hull City, but he remained in the side for the Chelsea match as the Blues surrendered their unbeaten record this term.
Branthwaite's Injury History
A series of hamstring issues restricted Branthwaite to just 10 outings last season, with the Carlisle-born player not making his first appearance of the campaign until coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 home draw against Leeds United on January 26. He then did not feature again after being stretchered off in tears in the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, when Everton conceded a 100th-minute goal to lose 2-1.
Over the summer, the 24-year-old visited the MYOS Sport & Health Clinic in Munich as he looked to cure his fitness woes, and he subsequently earned a recall to the England team.
Team Changes for the Emirates
Branthwaite is replaced in the side by Jake O'Brien, after it is understood Michael Keane had a late fitness check but is named among the substitutes. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is dropped against Arsenal, the club where he spent two decades, with Merlin Rohl seemingly moving to right-back behind Brennan Johnson, who returns to the starting line-up. Tyrique George comes in on the left wing to replace Grealish.
Everton: Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko; Armstrong, Garner; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry. Subs: Travers, King, Maitland-Niles, Keane, Norgaard, Alcaraz, Hackney, Graham, Dibling.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Merino; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres. Subs: Arrizabalaga, Calafiori, Mosquera, Hincapie, Timber, Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Dowman, Havertz.
