Mikel Arteta makes surprising Everton claim ahead of Goodison Park return, it is not what fans want to hear

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Everton welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

Just hours after David Moyes named his starting XI to face Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby, the 61-year-old has to go again against the Gunners.

The Everton boss has had to move on quickly from the defeat on Wednesday which saw plenty of controversy.

Everton will be without Jesper Lindstrom through injury as the Denmark international will see a specialist on his groin issue.

However, Everton are not alone in their struggles after playing on Wednesday night with Arsenal also in action against Fulham.

Mikel Arteta also has injury issues, which he is going to have to navigate ahead of what is going to be a huge week for the north London side.

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Mikel Arteta makes shock Everton claim involving Real Madrid

Arne Slot has empathised with Everton for having to play so quickly following the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday.

But they are not alone and Arsenal also have a quick turnaround from their game earlier this week and then their Champions League clash on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media on Friday, the Spaniard admitted he is viewing the next game against Everton as bigger than Real Madrid’s visit.

“The biggest game for us is Everton and the best way to prepare for Real Madrid is to do what we have to do to beat Everton,” said Arteta.

“This is football, it is an emotional game and you have to continuously do what you have to do. You can’t be thinking ahead.”

Moyes has already taken a joking dig at Arteta for his antics on the sideline as a manager.

But the 61-year-old will be hoping for a big reaction from his players, who have not tasted victory since February in the Premier League.

• READ MORE: David Moyes will be fuming as Paul Tierney ‘rewarded by PGMOL’ for his major Everton error vs Liverpool

Everton fans will have hoped Arsenal would rotate their squad

April has panned out to be a real daunting one for the Toffees in the Premier League.

Having seen their unbeaten run come to an end against Liverpool, Everton face some seriously difficult games to come this month.

Given the Reds are running away with the Premier League title, Arsenal’s best hope at silverware this season seems to be the Champions League.

Arteta suffered some injury issues during the week which will have had some Everton fans hoping he’d rotate his squad on the weekend.

But this does not seem to be the case for the former Everton midfielder who is still looking to win every point possible in the Premier League.