Arsenal v Everton preview: Unai Emery hopeful on Lucas Torreira's fitness

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery hopes to have midfielder Lucas Torreira fit to face Everton, live on Sky Sports on Sunday from 3.30pm.

The Uruguay international took a knock to the knee during Arsenal's 4-2 Europa League victory against Vorskla Poltava but should be available for the Renault Super Sunday clash as the Gunners look to make it five straight wins in all competitions.

"I think it was better [for Lucas] to leave the match," Emery said in his post-match press conference following Arsenal's win against Vorskla.

"I hope that [Friday] and Saturday, he will be okay [to train] for Sunday."

Meanwhile, Everton will be boosted by the return of joint top-scorer Richarlison after he completed a three-game ban.

The Brazilian made a fantastic start to life on Merseyside with three goals in two games following his move from Watford before his sending off against Bournemouth last month, and Marco Silva, who saw his side lose 3-1 at home to West Ham last weekend, is delighted to have the Brazilian back in contention for selection.

Silva said: "He's an important player for us. He started very well and scored important goals for us. It's very important for us that he's back."

Team news

Emery is likely to recall a number of first-team regulars for Arsenal's Premier League clash at home to Everton on Sunday.

The Gunners head coach made eight alterations for Thursday's 4-2 Europa League win over Vorskla Poltava but the likes of Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette will be pushing for returns.

Laurent Koscielny (Achilles), Sead Kolasinac (knee), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (leg) and Carl Jenkinson (ankle) remain absent.

Defender Yerry Mina could come into contention for his debut after a full week of training following a foot problem.

Fellow centre-back Phil Jagielka should be ready to train with the squad again next week following a knee injury but Andre Gomes (hamstring) and Seamus Coleman (foot) remain sidelined.

Opta stats

Arsenal are unbeaten in 24 home matches against Everton in all competitions (W20 D4) since a 2-1 Premier League defeat in January 1996 under Bruce Rioch.
Everton have played more Premier League matches at the Emirates without winning (12 - W0 D4 L8) than any other club.
Arsenal have scored more Premier League goals against Everton than any side has managed against another in the competition's history (105).
49 different players have scored a Premier League goal for Arsenal against Everton - the only side to have more against an opponent in the competition are Chelsea (52 vs Spurs).
The Gunners have won more Premier League points in the month of September than any other side in the competition (199).
Both of Everton's away Premier League games this season have finished 2-2, with the Toffees leading in both matches.
None of Arsenal's last 21 league games have ended as a draw (W11 D0 L10) - only once have they ever had a longer run without one in the top-flight (28 games between April and December 1983).
After winning four of his first seven away league games since the start of last season, Everton boss Marco Silva is winless in his last seven on the road in the Premier League (D2 L5).
Aaron Ramsey has scored six Premier League goals against Everton, more than he has against any other side in the competition. All six goals have come in his last four games against them, including a hat-trick in this exact fixture last season.
Theo Walcott scored 56 goals in all competitions at the Emirates Stadium while playing for Arsenal - only Robin van Persie (65, including one for Man Utd) has scored more at the ground.

Merson's prediction

It was a poor result for Everton on Sunday, they are on a bit of a run now - they've hit a brick wall. I know they hadn't been beaten until last week but they hadn't won a lot of games. I think Arsenal will have too much movement for them, you only have to look at how West Ham picked them off. I expect Arsenal to do the same. Everton have drawn too many games. When you draw a few games you cannot afford to lose the next, that's the problem.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

Arsenal 2

Everton 0

Arsenal v Everton preview: Unai Emery hopeful on Lucas Torreira's fitness