Everton v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups and updates

Sometimes the blatantly predictable is best in football.

Arsenal started the day 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, but you really wouldn’t have been able to tell that going off the Emirates atmosphere. No matter what you think of the anthem, a rousing rendition of North London Forever preceded the contest, with the Gunners faithful remaining in full voice for the opening stages. He was only on the bench, but the impact of Saka’s long-awaited return to the fold was evident from the outset.

This is the final 12.30pm Saturday kick-off at Goodison Park, with Everton set to move to the all-singing, all-dancing, brand-new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the start of next season.

After today, there are just three home games left at the ground Everton have occupied since 1892.

Tarkowski was booked for a high follow-through on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in the 11th minute, a challenge where he made firm contact with the ball but also planted his studs into the Argentinian’s shin.

Mikel Arteta has opted to bench some of his big guns ahead of their all-important Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Last week’s match winner Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli are all on the bench, with Jorginho, Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard coming in.

Jakob Kiwior replaces the injured Gabriel at centre-back and Ben White enjoys his first league start since the draw at Chelsea in November, when he sustained a knee injury. He comes in for Jurrien Timber, who drops to the bench following a knee issue against Fulham.

David Moyes makes three changes from Everton’s 1-0 defeat at Anfield midweek.

Iliman Ndiaye returns to the starting XI after coming off the bench in the Merseyside derby, his first start since a knee injury in February.

Nathan Patterson replaces Vitalli Mykolenko, who has a knock, in defence, and Tim Iroegbunam – another substitute at Anfield – comes in for James Garner in midfield.

Charly Alcaraz drops to the bench where he is joined by Dwight McNeil, back to fitness.

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Merino, Rice, Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling.

Substitutes: Neto, Timber, Tierney, Zinchenko, Partey, Gower, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka.

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski (c), Branthwaite, Patterson, Gana, Iroegbunam, Doucoure, Harrison, Ndiaye, Beto.

Substitutes: Virginia, Keane, McNeil, Chermiti, Young, Broja, Coleman, Alcaraz, Garner.

Will be released in the next five minutes or so from Goodison Park….

Everton were beaten by Liverpool on Wednesday in a contentious Merseyside Derby. Much was made of James Tarkowski’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister but David Moyes was correct to point out that Diogo Jota’s winner for the Reds could have been disallowed for offside.

It ended Everton’s nine-game unbeaten run and they will go from playing the leaders to the side in second place when they face Arsenal.

It was a special evening for Arsenal and Bukayo Saka on Tuesday as the talismanic forward doubled their lead over Fulham just minutes after returning to the pitch.

Mikel Arteta called it a “beautiful moment” as Saka came off the bench to a standing ovation and ultimately scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win at the Emirates.