Mikel Arteta pinpointed key area that costs Arsenal against Everton, Gabriel Magalhaes injury could have major impact

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Arsenal have endured some bad defeats at Goodison Park under Mikel Arteta.

The Toffees held Arsenal to a frustrating 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the season and have proven to be a tough side for Mikel Arteta to get the better of during his reign.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his last appearance for Arsenal during a 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park in December 2021 and David Moyes has the current side on a roll.

Arsenal’s injury crisis this season has been a huge factor in them being 12 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League and they are without key players once again for the latest trip to Merseyside.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta should now call up the new William Saliba from Arsenal’s Academy after Gabriel Magalhaes injury

Mikel Arteta highlighted Everton strength in defeat in 2023

Another harrowing defeat at Goodison Park came in February 2023 as Arteta’s side lost 1-0 in a crucial fixture in the Premier League title race.

James Tarkowski scored the only goal of the match from a second half corner and after the game, Arteta spoke to TNT Sports about the strengths of Everton.

As per BBC Sport, Arteta stated: ““We had loads of the ball but we lacked that purpose and quality in the final third, we generated many chances. But then we conceded and they slowed the game down and we struggled.

“”They do this to every team that is their strength with the height, the physicality is their strength, if you want to control the game against them you have to control this. We did not do that today.”

Gabriel Magalhaes requires hamstring surgery and therefore misses the clash with Everton, a powerful, physical presence that the Gunners will be missing.

It means the likes of William Saliba and Declan Rice will need to stand up against the physical threat of Everton if Arsenal are to stand any chance of claiming a rare victory on Merseyside.

Arteta needs to manage Bukayo Saka minutes ahead of Real Madrid clash

One temptation for the upcoming clash with Everton would be for Arteta to throw Bukayo Saka in from the start but the Spaniard must resist the temptation.

Saka made a goal scoring return from injury against Fulham however, his minutes still need to be managed ahead of a vital Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid.

The same could also be said for Gabriel Martinelli who has only just returned from a hamstring injury himself and played 90 minutes against Fulham.

Fans were impressed with Martinelli’s performance and the duo’s pace on the counter attack could be Arsenal’s biggest weapon against Carlo Ancelotti’s side.